The difference between RECs and solar Last updated 8/23/2021 One renewable energy certificate (REC) represents 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity generated. Renewable electricity can come from multiple sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, organic plant and waste material (biomass), and the earth’s heat (geothermal). One REC represents the positive environmental attributes of renewable electricity, but not the electricity itself. When you buy RECs you are not buying electricity to power your home – rather, because there is no way to differentiate between renewable and non-renewable electricity once it goes onto the grid, buying RECs allows you to claim the benefits of using renewable electricity. Like standard RECs, solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) represent the “renewable” part of renewable electricity. However, SRECs only apply to electricity that comes from solar panels. SRECs and your solar panels If you install solar panels...