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  1. Home
  2. Green Power Markets
  3. Learn about Green Power Market

Renewable Energy Market Principles

Energy Attribute Certificates
This page provides an overview about energy attribute certificates (EACs), which are a contractual instrument to convey information about a unit of energy, including the resource used to create the energy and its associated emissions. EACs are essential to substantiate claims made by energy providers and consumers.
Market Instruments

This webpage provides an overview of the two major market instruments that track and substantiate emissions reductions in the U.S. market:

  • Renewable energy certificates (RECs)—used to manage indirect emissions.
  • Carbon offsets—used to reduce direct global emissions.
Environmental Claims
These webpages outline issues to consider when making green power use claims. Additional pages provide further guidance on making claims and include discussion about solar use claims.
Regulatory Surplus
When buyers of electricity want to purchase or generate renewable electricity that goes above and beyond what is currently available in their standard electricity mix (or what the law requires to meet a compliance obligation), that is regulatory surplus. This webpage provides information on regulatory surplus.
Double-Counting
This web area outlines the market and legal problems that can occur when two parties count/claim or sell the same MWh. These pages detail why double counting is an issue and how to avoid it.
Consumer Leadership
These pages illustrate how to think about leadership and impact of green power. Besides the purchase and generation of green power, there are other behaviors that can have tremendous positive impact on ensuring a robust renewable energy future.

Green Power Markets

  • Learn about Green Power Market
    • History of Voluntary Markets
      • U.S. Renewable Electricity Market
      • International Green Power Markets
    • U.S. Electricity Grid & Markets
      • U.S. Grid Regions
      • Power Market Structure
      • Energy Attribute Tracking Systems
    • Energy Market Drivers
      • Market Drivers
      • Contributions of Policies & Consumer Choice Drivers
      • Market Drivers Interactions
    • Renewable Energy Market Principles
      • Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs)
      • Market Instruments
      • Environmental Claims
      • Regulatory Surplus
      • Double Counting
      • Consumer Leadership
    • Summary of Inflation Reduction Act
  • Act
    • Target Setting
      • Making a Difference
    • Purchase
      • Delivered Electricity
      • Green Power Purchasing Steps
      • Green Power Supply Options
      • Voluntary Supply Benefits
      • What Is Green Power?
      • Guide to Purchasing Green Power
      • Renewable Energy Certificates
      • Green Power Pricing
      • Green Power Procurement Considerations
    • Build & Self Generate
      • On-Site Project Development Process
      • Policies & Regulations
      • Site Considerations
      • Financing
      • Proposals & Solicitations
      • Evaluation
    • Credible Claims
      • Certification & Verification
  • Resources
    • Renewable Energy Project Development Resource Directory
    • Tools
      • Green Power Equivalency Calculator
    • Green Power Market Documents
    • Training Videos
    • Glossary
    • Frequent Questions Abut Green Power Markets
  • Emerging Issues
Green Power Markets Contact US Form
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 16, 2025
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