Archive for the ‘New Mexico’ Category

Importing and Exporting SRECs across Registries

Posted July 21st, 2010 by SRECTrade.

With the launch of the North Carolina Renewable Energy Tracking System (NC-RETS), North Carolina is paving the way for what could be the future for SREC markets. For the first time, an SREC created in one region’s registry will be transferable to a buyer in another region’s registry. This cooperation amongst registries could be the first step towards a permeable nationwide SREC market.

North Carolina is currently working with other renewable energy certificate tracking systems to approve a process for importing and exporting SRECs. The approval of exporting SRECs from other tracking systems and importing them into NC-RETS would allow solar system owners located in states without viable SREC markets to sell into the North Carolina SREC market. This is all possible because almost all of the registries were built with similar technology developed by APX.  More information on all of the registries can be found here: APX Primer on REC Registries.

NC-RETS is working with the parties responsible for maintaining the other regional registries to develop the importing and exporting process.  Here is a list of those registries and an update on the status of importing and exporting:

NARR: The North American Renewables Registry (NARR) was developed by APX to serve the needs of states and regions that have not implemented a REC tracking system.  This covers most of the Southeastern U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.  NARR has already established importing/exporting procedures with NC-RETS.

MRETS: The Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System (M-RETS), the registry that tracks the generation of SRECs in 8 Midwest U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba, has approved the exportation of SRECs and is implementing the necessary software upgrades.

GATS: Generation Attribute Tracking System covers the Mid-Atlantic states and currently tracks the majority of SREC volume due to member states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  GATS is expected to allow importing/exporting soon.

WREGIS: The Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS), the registry that tracks the generation of SRECs in 14 Western U.S. states, Baja California, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, is capable of managing exports and is in the process of making a policy decision to allow the system to export SRECs.

ERCOT: Texas, the sixth state to adopt an RPS in 1999, was the first to implement a procedure for meeting the RPS.  The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) was the first registry of its kind.  Unfortunately, it does not currently have the capability to export SRECs and it may require legislative approval to make the necessary changes to the system’s software. However, NC-RETS and APX are working with ERCOT to come up with a solution.

New Mexico SREC Information

Posted June 17th, 2010 by SRECTrade.

Note: Visit our New Mexico SREC page for specifics about any SREC potential.

New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements have a solar renewable energy target, but the current structure does not allow for a vibrant SREC market. The RPS requires that Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) derive at least 20% of the state’s renewable energy from solar generation. While this is a step in the right direction, New Mexico has not put in place a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) to drive a market price for SRECs. IOUs are required to purchase RECs to meet the RPS requirements, but if the requirements are not met within the year, the utilities have to make them up in the following year. Penalties can be implemented, but are in the form of retiring additional RECs within a designated generation category.

Although the current structure does not allow for monthly auctions, similar to what SRECTrade has created in other markets, New Mexico’s IOUs offer SREC purchase incentive programs. Below is an overview of their offerings.

PNM

Small PV Program: PNM will pay 13 cents/kWh ($130/SREC) for systems up to 10 kW. The system owner must enter into a 12 year agreement, but the agreement can be terminated upon 30 days written notice.

Large PV Program: PNM will pay 15 cents/kwh ($150/SREC) for systems greater than 10kW up to 1 MW. The system owner must enter into a 20 year agreement, but the agreement can be terminated upon 30 days written notice.

In addition to the SREC buy-back program, PNM offers a Net Metering program. This means that when your PV system produces more electricity in a given billing period than your facility uses, PNM will credit your account for the excess.

SPS (Xcel)

Solar*Rewards Small Program: SPS will pay 20 cents/kWh ($200/SREC) for systems between 0.5kW and 10kW. The system owner must enter into this agreement for a set term of 14 years.

Solar*Rewards Medium Program: SPS will pay 20 cents/kWh ($200/SREC) for systems between 10.1kW and 100kW. The system owner must enter into this agreement for a set term of 10 years.

Solar*Rewards Large Program: For systems greater than 100kW, SPS requests a proposal for REC buy-back. The contract term is negotiable for systems of this size.

In addition to the SREC buy-back program, SPS offers a Net Metering program. This means that when your PV system produces more electricity in a given billing period than your facility uses, SPS will credit your account for the excess.

El Paso Electric (EPE)

Small System Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Purchase: systems 10kW and less are eligible to receive 12 cents/kWh ($120/SREC). System owners must enter into this agreement for a 12 year term.

Medium System Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Purchase: systems between 10kW and 100kW are eligible to receive 15.5 cents/kWh ($155/SREC). System owners must enter into this agreement for a 12 year term.

Additionally, EPE offers a Net Metering program that will credit customer accounts for the excess energy produced by their solar panel systems.

SRECTrade will continue to watch the New Mexico market and keep participants up to date on the best methods for maximizing the value of their SRECs.