gov A. gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts. A renewable energy certificate, or REC pronounced: rěk, like wreck , is a market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation.

RECs are issued when one megawatt-hour MWh of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy resource.

Because the physical electricity we receive through the utility grid says nothing of its origin or how it was generated, RECs play an important role in accounting, tracking, and assigning ownership to renewable electricity generation and use.

On a shared grid—whether the electricity comes from on-site or off-site resources—RECs are the instrument that electricity consumers must use to substantiate renewable electricity use claims. The short video to the right describes the importance and role of RECs in making green power possible for electricity consumers nationwide.

RECs are the accepted legal instrument through which renewable energy generation and use claims are substantiated in the U. renewable electricity market. RECs are supported by several different levels of government, regional electricity transmission authorities, nongovernmental organizations NGOs , and trade associations, as well as in U.

case law. For additional information, please see the Center for Resource Solutions' paper on the Legal Basis for Renewable Energy Certificates pdf. Are you a consultant who assesses existing systems, then specifies, and financially justifies renewable energy projects for your clients?

What Does an REP Do? Body of Knowledge. Renewable Energy and Environmental Impacts Solar Energy Wind Energy Hydropower Geothermal Energy Biomass Energy Waste-to-Energy Systems Hydrogen Applications Energy Storage Alternative Energy Strategies for Buildings Transportation Systems Financing and Incentives for Alternative Energy Renewable Energy Application for Micro-grids.

Become a REP. Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa. Connect With REP. Next Steps. Certification FAQ. Already Certified?

RECs earned may be sold, for example, to other entities that are polluting as a carbon credit to offset their emissions. RECs can go by other names, including Green Tags, Tradable Renewable Certificates TRCs , Renewable Electricity Certificates, or Renewable Energy Credits.

A Renewable Energy Certificate REC acts as an accounting or tracking mechanism for solar, wind, and other green energies as they flow into the power grid.

Since electricity generated from renewable energy sources is indistinguishable from that produced by any other source, some form of tracking is required. This accounting and returning energy to the grid is necessary because electricity is difficult and expensive to store in batteries.

So, most renewable-generated power, which is unused by the creator, is fed back into the power grid for use by other customers. The provider of renewable electricity, such as a homeowner with rooftop solar panels, will then receive a REC.

Energy Certificates can be sold, but are typically used as a credit against their own power usage. The eligibility to use RECs expires at the end of the fifth calendar year following the year they were generated.

Many states require power utilities to purchase or generate renewable solar power. These requirements are called solar carve-outs. Moreover, many states have a Renewable Portfolio Standard RPS , which requires power services to create a certain amount of renewable power that increases every year.

These RPS requirements are a significant driver of the Renewable Energy Certificate trades. A power company may purchase these certificates from the homeowner to meet the state's renewable requirement. While state laws vary on the use and sale of RECs, the certificates are recognized by many state and local governments, as well as regional electricity transmission authorities, non-government organizations NGOs , and trade groups.

Besides solar and wind-generated power, RECs may be issued for generators of geothermal, hydro-power without dams, biofuels , and hydrogen fuel cells. REC arbitrage is also called a REC swap.

These trades involve the near-simultaneous buying and selling of RECs with differing prices. Traders attempt to profit from the disparity between the buy and sell price. For example, State A has a higher Renewable Portfolio Standard RPS requirement and solar-carve outs than State B has. The higher requirement drives demand for the price of Renewable Energy Certificates RECs in state A.

The state A provider, who must meet the higher requirements would, therefore, have an incentive to purchase less expensive state B certificates. The provider may then use these credits to meet their requirements.

Renewable Energy Certificates RECs are always the same one megawatt-hour MWh of electricity, regardless of where production happened. However, the price may vary due to supply and demand. In practice, broker intermediaries typically facilitate REC arbitrage, but the market allows renewable energy providers to economize on energy production, as well as reduce carbon emissions by encouraging more green energy production.

Environmental Protection Agency. Department of Energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Perhaps one of the most influential accreditations to have in , the CAP makes an individual a major contributor to climate-neutral strategies.

While not specifically an energy certification, the PMP credential, awarded by the Project Management Institute PMI , is highly regarded in the field. It demonstrates expertise in managing energy projects and ensuring their successful implementation.

Project management from an energy perspective is more than simply seeing work through to the final goal, but doing so sustainably.

While there are many ways in which someone can become a project manager, professional accreditation by the PMI will provide the skills aligned with net-zero goals. The AEE offers this certification to professionals involved in energy auditing, energy conservation measures, and energy efficiency assessments.

The types of task that complement this credential include surveying, risk mitigation analysis, planning, and investment-grade analysis, of which auditors will ensure aligned to the predefined standards like the ASHRAE Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits.

Certification provided by the AEE, this certification focuses on renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal systems. Perhaps a more broad-sounding professional accreditation, such a professional is responsible for a holistic focus on renewable energy generation, including production and storage, and everything in between.

Assisting with various corporate aspects, the REP will help set sustainability goals that generally support truly renewable power supplies. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED certification is widely recognized for sustainable building design and construction.

The LEED AP credential signifies expertise in energy-efficient practices. The title is supplied through the US Green Building Council and recognises proficiency in the current sustainable design criteria and operational standards.

The aim of the LEED AP is to showcase professional knowledge of the green building marketplace. This certification is offered by the AEE and demonstrates expertise in energy management, including energy auditing, efficiency improvements, and renewable energy integration.

Usually a CEM certified individual is a manager or team leader within strategic energy management teams. The CEM title has gained more attention from businesses acting on sustainability as they look to strengthen their approaches to the evolving energy market, aligned to sustainable outcomes.

Top Energy Certifications. By Tom Swallow. June 29, undefined mins. With companies transitioning to renewable energy solutions, energy certifications set professionals apart from the rest and help develop renewable-focused careers.

With energy transition comes opportunities for sustainability and professional development. These are intrinsically linked by industry certifications. Certified Demand-Side Management Professional CDSM This certification, offered by the Association of Energy Engineers AEE , focuses on demand-side management strategies, including load management, demand response programmes, and energy efficiency initiatives.

Building Performance Institute BPI Certifications BPI offers a number of certifications related to energy efficiency and building performance, including certifications for energy auditors, envelope professionals, heating and cooling professionals, and building analysts.

Certified Energy Procurement Professional CEP Provided by the AEE, the CEP accreditation focuses on energy procurement strategies, energy markets, and contract negotiations to help organisations optimise their energy purchasing decisions.

Certified Sustainable Development Professional CSDP The AEE offers this certification to professionals involved in sustainable development, including energy efficiency, renewable energy , waste management , and environmental conservation. Certified Carbon Auditing Professional CAP The AEE offers the CAP accreditation that focuses on carbon management strategies, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, carbon footprint analysis, and carbon offset projects.

Project Management Professional PMP While not specifically an energy certification, the PMP credential, awarded by the Project Management Institute PMI , is highly regarded in the field. Certified Energy Auditor CEA The AEE offers this certification to professionals involved in energy auditing, energy conservation measures, and energy efficiency assessments.