Archive for February, 2020

CA LCFS Update – February 2020

Posted February 14th, 2020 by SRECTrade.

2020 is proving to be another record-breaking year in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CA LCFS) market. Credit pricing remained strong throughout Q4 2019 and January 2020 with spot pricing sustaining levels over ~$200 per credit. Despite the cost containment provisions the California Air Resources Board (CARB) implemented in late 2019, the market recently has transacted above the implied ~$213 cap. The enclosed update provides highlights on news impacting the market, a recent price trend overview, and a closer look at the Q3 2019 credit and deficit report released by CARB at the end of January.

SRECTrade offers LCFS credit management and brokerage services to electric vehicle (EV) fleet operators, OEMs, EV charging station owners, and other clean fuel asset owners. We help our clients navigate the entire LCFS process including asset registration, ongoing reporting requirements, transacting, settlement, and remittance of funds. Our domain expertise in environmental commodity markets allows us to provide our clients with industry leading regulatory and market knowledge. Please reach out to cleanfuels@srectrade.com for more information.

Pennsylvania SREC Market Update: What Will the Market Look Like If SB600 Passes?

Posted February 5th, 2020 by SRECTrade.

In November of 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) released the Pennsylvania Solar Future Plan. The 152-page document outlines strategies to help the state meet a goal of 10 percent in-state solar electricity generation by 2030. As part of this plan, the DEP recommends that the state consider revising their Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Program (“AEPS”) and increase the target to help bolster SREC prices and solar build rates. In response, on April 10, 2019, Senate Bill 600 was introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Most notably, the Bill:

  1. Expands AEPS Tier I requirement from 8% by 2021 to 30% by 2030
  2. Expands AEPS solar carve-out from 0.5% by 2021 to 10% by 2030, including 7.5% for grid-supply solar and 2.5% for distributed generation (DG) solar
  3. Introduces fixed alternative compliance payment (ACP) schedules and a 15-year SREC eligibility term for solar facilities (beginning on June 1, 2021)

While the future of this Bill is still uncertain, SRECTrade has prepared an analysis that illustrates the projected market dynamic if SB600 were to pass as well as baseline scenario cases assuming the current AEPS policy stays in place.

In reaction to these bullish signals from policymakers and the closure of PA borders to out-of-state systems, SREC prices have seen an appreciation in value over the past 12 to 18 months to values around $35-45. SRECTrade will continue to monitor progressions with this Bill and update our clients, partners, and stakeholders accordingly.