Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Rěk is a market based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental social and other non power attributes of renewable electricity generation.

Solar renewable energy credits. Recs are issued when one megawatt hour mwh of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a. A maryland eligible renewable energy credit rec is equal to the environmental attributes associated with 1 megawatt hour 1 000 kilowatt hours of energy generated by a qualified renewable energy system. How renewable energy credits work. Yes the residential energy efficient property credit allows for a credit equal to the applicable percent of the cost of qualified property.

For example if a solar array produces 4 000 kwh over the course of a year the system owner will receive 4 solar recs srecs. Srecs exist as a result of a regulation known as the renewable portfolio standard rps. Renewable energy certificates also known as renewable energy credits or recs represent the energy generated by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power facilities. Instead recs represent the clean energy attributes of renewable electricity.

Buying recs is not equivalent to buying electricity. What is an srec. Srecs exist in states that have renewable portfolio standard rps legislation with specific requirements for solar energy usually referred to as a solar carve out. The residential energy credits are.

The additional income received from selling srecs. The federal solar tax credit also known as the investment tax credit itc allows you to deduct 26 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The residential renewable energy tax credit as the irs calls it can be an attractive way to save on the significant cost of installing solar panels or roofing an average sized residential solar. Information about form 5695 residential energy credits including recent updates related forms and instructions on how to file.

A renewable energy certificate or rec pronounced. Qualifying properties are solar electric property solar water heaters geothermal heat pumps small wind turbines and fuel cell property. Use form 5695 to figure and take your nonbusiness energy property credit and residential energy efficient property credit. The itc applies to both residential and commercial systems and there is no cap on its value.