Questions and Answers About the Solar Renewable Energy Credits Program

A solar REC is a renewable energy credit, a tradable certificate that represents all the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from a solar electric system. A solar REC is produced each time your solar system generates 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) electricity.

This program is intended to provide owners of solar systems with a method of obtaining value for the solar RECs their systems produce. It is not intended to provide a guaranteed return on investment to someone considering investing in solar panels. It is important to understand that the prices that will be paid for solar RECs are not guaranteed up-front for the duration of the 15-year contract, but instead determined annually based on market conditions. Solar REC values could change significantly over time.

Solar REC ownership and certification is tracked and maintained through two transmission agencies contracted by the state. In the PJM Interconnection Region, solar RECs are created in a system called GATS (Generation Attribute Tracking System). In the MISO Interconnection Region, solar RECs are created in a system called M-RETS (Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System). These systems will record and issue an electronic certificate for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated.

The MISO M-RETS charges a one-time registration fee at the time you open an account, as well as an annual subscriber fee, depending on the size of your generation unit. The PJM-GATS has two fee structures: a flat, annual fee; and a certificate fee associated with all RECs. Check their websites for more details.

After December 31 of each year. Once your solar RECs are certified, you can transfer the RECs and create an invoice at https://www.duke-energy.com/ohio/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-certificate-purchase-offer-agreement.asp detailing the payment instructions to Duke Energy on or before February 15, in order to receive the previous year's solar REC price.

You will be paid by electronic transfer according to the payment instructions you provide.

All solar systems must comply with the standard net-metering requirements associated with Duke Energy's net metering program. Also, if your solar PV system is 6 kilowatts or greater, an additional meter is required.

Residential systems typically range from 3 kilowatts to 9 kilowatts. A typical 4-kilowatt system produces about 7,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Actual production will depend on a variety of factors such as the size of the system, the slope or orientation of the roof in relation to the sun, shading and the weather.

You can find a list of solar contractors at Green Energy Ohio's website.

An agreement must be signed by December 31, 2012.

Yes. You can participate in the program to sell solar RECs to Duke Energy, but Duke Energy will not purchase any excess energy from your premise under the Net Metering program.