When you rent your home or business, it’s hard to use renewable energy sources. That’s where your electricity provider comes in! Energy companies like NOVEC and Dominion Energy offer different programs that renters (and everyone else) can participate in to ensure green power is part of the grid.
These programs are a good alternative for renters or residents of multi-unit properties (like apartments and condominiums) who want to use electricity from renewable energy sources but can’t install solar panels or other renewable energy systems or because they can’t afford the cost of installation.
What is Green Power?
Green power or green energy is electricity that has been produced from renewable resources like solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, or hydropower. Essentially, this power does not come from fossil fuels, and does not produce any fossil-fuel related greenhouse gas emissions.
Some energy providers offer programs where you can buy something called "renewable energy credits," also known as renewable energy certificates or RECs.
These credits show that your electricity comes from green power sources. When renewable electricity is produced, RECs are created in the same amount. RECs have value and can result in more revenue for builders and developers to do more clean energy projects. For more information on how this process works, please visit the links listed at the end of the article.
REC Programs available in Fairfax County:
NOVEC’s REC Program
NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative) can purchase RECs on behalf of customers from several sources to meet the demand for green power. These RECs will then be resold to customers at a “companion rate” that is added to their regular monthly electricity bill.
NOVEC is currently selling RECs at 1.5 cents per kWh. A customer who wants to purchase RECs through this companion rate must purchase RECs equal to 100% of their total monthly kWh consumption.
Dominion Energy’s REC Programs
Dominion Energy offers 3 separate REC programs, all with the same goal of supporting future growth and production of new clean energy facilities.
- REC Select: This program ensures that some form of renewable energy, created within the United States, is sent to the grid in your name. You can use the 100% option, which will add an additional .269 cents per kWh of electricity used to your monthly bill, or you can choose a fixed number of kWh to add to your bill per month.
- 100% Renewable Energy: This program is similar to REC Select, with the only difference being that Dominion Energy would source your energy certificates from anywhere within Virginia or North Carolina. It matches your energy consumption, and it adds an additional .398 cents per kWh to your energy bill, which usually ends up being less than $5 a month.
- Green Power Program: In this program, Dominion Energy will purchase RECs from Virginia and the surrounding region on your behalf and ensure that it is delivered to the power pool. This option allows you to match 100% of your energy, which adds $12 to your bill per month. Alternatively, you can decide how many energy blocks you want to add to your bill, and each block is $2.
Dominion Energy has created a handy table to help you see the differences between these green power programs. Not sure which program is right for you? Take Dominion Energy’s renewable energy program quiz!
Please note that REC programs do not redirect renewable energy to be delivered to your specific address. Your home or business will continue to receive electricity in the same manner as before. REC programs guarantee the addition of renewable energy to the grid on your behalf.
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