What are SRECs?

If you’ve spent time looking into solar for your home or business, you’ve likely heard the term SRECs, which stands for Solar Renewable Energy Certificates or Solar Renewable Energy Credits. SRECs are solar incentives offered to homeowners and businesses who have a qualifying solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Utility companies then pay system owners for these certificates as a way for the utility to meet their state-issued Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Wind power has had a headstart, but solar energy in Iowa is moving towards realizing its potential. With Iowa’s central location in the middle of the United State, where importing fuels increases energy costs, diversification of renewable energy sources has become a priority in the Hawkeye State. Even when dark and snowy Iowa winters are taken into account, the average annual sunlight hours and clear sunny days makes solar power a great investment.

Michael Allen, co-founder of All Energy Solar of St. Paul, is grateful for a partly sunny 2020.

"All in all, it was a good year, but not the year we had hoped for," said Allen, 38. "We installed more than in 2019. The stress levels, thanks to COVID-19, were at an all-time high."

Live in Massachusetts? Thinking about ways to take control of your spending? One thing to consider that could have a huge impact on your utility spending is installing solar power panels. Not only could you potentially be saving hundreds of dollars yearly, that number adds up to thousands over the lifetime of your solar power system. What’s even better is Massachusetts solar power incentives, along with federal tax credits, could make solar energy more affordable than you think.

For being the North Star State, Minnesota residents sure love our daytime star - the sun. Despite our snow-covered reputation, as of 2019, we’re ranked 12th in the nation for solar power installed. As Minnesota continues to develop solar friendly programs, we could rate even better. 

Solar power is now the cheapest energy in history, according to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2020.  The technology has gotten more efficient while becoming less costly. Tax credits and other solar power incentives offered through the government and utilities bring down the price of solar even further.

As more states begin to implement Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS) and establish carve-outs for wind and solar production, the question arises; which source of renewable energy production is best? Although both offer significant benefits, there are some key factors to consider before crowning one king.

Residents of the Badger State pride themselves on their self-reliance, and to more and more property owners that also means trying to achieve as much energy independence as possible. Wisconsin solar installers have been working hard to help them reach their goals - including All Energy Solar. 

Focus on Energy is Wisconsin utilities' statewide energy efficiency and renewable resource program. It’s funded by the state's energy utilities and participating municipal and electric cooperative utilities.

You can go green with a bonus if your utility provider is Xcel Energy. Solar*Rewards provides incentives for customers who install solar power systems and connect them to the grid to sell excess energy to the utility. Through the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program, payments are extended to the owner of a solar power system in exchange for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for the energy produced by the solar system.