What if we told you there’s a way to make money from your rooftop solar system?
Yes, rooftop solar is quite an investment and the benefits of owning your energy and helping the environment don’t always outweigh the initial cost for some people.
But if you’re going to invest in the installation and maintenance of solar panels, wouldn’t it be great if you could also make some money while you’re at it?
One way to do that is with solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). SRECs serve as a financial incentive that consists of you selling a portion of the energy generated by your system to a utility.
It’s a great way for solar system owners to make extra money long-term and recoup some of the costs of their solar system.
Let’s break down the nuts and bolts of SRECs, how they can help you and how SRECs prices differ from state to state.
What are SRECs?
A solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) is a financial incentive that helps homeowners earn money from the sale of extra energy produced by their rooftop panels. They can earn 1 SREC for every 1 MWh or 1000 kWH of electricity their solar system generates. For example, if a homeowner in Maryland has a system that generates 5 MWh (5,000 kWh) in a year and SRECs in that state sell for around $58, they could earn 5x $58= $290 per year!
Utilities purchase SRECs from consumers to help them fulfill state-mandated renewable energy goals also known as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). The RPS demand utilities generate a portion of their energy from renewable sources. SRECs allow them to do that since they get to claim part of the energy produced by a solar owner as their own. An SREC is different from a simple Renewable Energy Credit (REC) in that it includes a “solar carve-out” component. This means that a portion of the energy sourced by utilities must come from solar energy
What are the benefits of SRECs?
- They help homeowners supplement their income.
- They allow utilities to stay compliant with government Renewable Portfolio Standards.
- They help promote the clean energy agenda through monetary incentives for homeowners.
What you need to start selling SRECs
A few things need to be in place before you can start cashing in on SRECs:
- A fully functioning solar system on your property.
- A meter to record your system’s solar production. It needs to be registered with an SREC tracking system within your state before you can start earning SRECs.
- The tracking system will continuously monitor your system’s electricity production to determine the correct number of SRECs you qualify for.
- Choose the right SREC aggregator for you. Our partner, Currents will handle the transaction between you and your utility so you can quickly start cashing in on your SRECs.
How much do SRECs cost?
Prices for SRECS depend heavily on individual states’ regulations and supply and demand. Moreover, SREC markets are highly volatile but here are recent price updates for different states.
| State | SREC Price (Per MWh) |
| District of Columbia | $425 |
| Pennsylvania | $35 |
| Maryland | $58 |
| Virginia | $40 |
| Ohio | $35 |
Source: Currents (2025 prices)
The sale of SRECs is an essential part of the clean energy movement. It helps keep utility companies accountable by incentivizing them to meet their RPS requirements and it helps rooftop solar owners develop a long-term, sustainable and stress-free income stream from their solar system.
If you are ready for rooftop solar and the benefits that SRECs offer, reach out to us and our team will provide you with all the information you need!
Learn how you can help by joining the movement
Written By Alfreda Adote | Edited By Lauren McGregor