SRECs (MA)

This section relates to the Massachusetts Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program — both SREC I and SREC II.

Q. What is an SREC?

A. One SREC represents 1000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), or 1 megawatt-hour (MWh), of green electricity. So if your system produced 2,450 kWh in a quarter, you generated 2 SRECs, plus 450 kWh that counts toward the next quarter’s SREC sales. Massachusetts created the SREC program to encourage homeowners and businesses to install solar energy.

Q. How do I sign up to sell SRECs?

A. First, select an SREC aggregator. Second, sign contracts with the aggregator and the Mass. Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER). Third, get a Production Tracking System (PTS) log-in.

(If you signed up with aggregator Knollwood Energy when you signed your contract with us, you can skip to Step 3. We already have your Knollwood and DOER contracts and will submit them to Knollwood with the necessary supporting documentation as soon as your system goes live.)

1. Select an SREC aggregator: The aggregator acts as a broker to sell each MWh (1000 kWh) of energy your system produces. You also have the option of selling SRECs yourself, but most homeowners go with an aggregator. We recommend Knollwood Energy. A full list of aggregators is available on the www.Mass.gov/DOER website.
2. Sign contracts with the aggregator and DOER: Complete and sign contracts with Knollwood and the DOER and return those forms to us. We will submit them to Knollwood with the necessary supporting documentation as soon as your system goes live. If you choose an aggregator other than Knollwood, sign up with them directly and that aggregator should contract you directly about the DOER contract.
3. Receive a Production Tracking System (PTS) log-in: After your system goes live, the aggregator sends your information to the state Production Tracking System (PTS) Group. Approximately 6-8 weeks later, (depending on how busy they are), after the PTS Group has reviewed and approved your application, the PTS Group will send you an email with a login and password for the PTS.

Be sure to check your Spam email folder regularly in case the email from PTS goes there. We do not get a copy of this information from the PTS Group. As of this writing, the emails were being sent from this address: PTS@masscec-pts.com.

Be sure to track your monthly production from the day your system is turned on, even if you have not received your PTS log-in information.

Q. How do I actually sell my SRECs?

Production meter

A. Each month you will receive an email reminder to log into PTS (www.masscec-pts.com) and record the kWh production you see on your production meter (the round meter with the glass window, probably in your basement next to your inverter). You record the actual number on the meter, which only goes up. Don’t worry about figuring out the monthly production. The PTS system does that for you.

Q. When do I sell my SRECs?

A. You have 5 days before the end of the month and 5 days after the end of the month to report SRECs for any given month.

Q. When will my SREC check arrive?

A. SRECs are sold quarterly. Your first SREC check will arrive 6-8 months after you submit your first production number. After that, you receive a check every quarter, assuming your system produced enough. (You can also arrange direct deposit with your aggregator.)

Q. How much will I get for my SRECs?

A. SRECs are sold in a special market and prices are based on supply and demand, so they fluctuate. Knollwood or your aggregator are your best resources on prices.

Q. Do I need to report SRECs or is reporting automated?

A. If your system is over 10 kW DC rating, your SREC reporting is automated, so you do not need to report monthly. You will have to create an account with Knollwood, stay up-to-date with Knollwood emails, and set up a registration through Knollwood.

If your system is under 10 kW DC rating, you must report your SRECs monthly, unless you paid to set up automated reporting.

Q. How does the state know the SREC information I report is accurate?

A. The state has your site information in their portal. They know what kind of panels you have, how many, your inverter type, the orientation and pitch of your roof, your shade percentage, and the efficiency of your equipment. They have calculated a monthly production range for you for the next 10 years.

If your number falls short of that range, nothing will happen. (They don’t mind paying you less than expected!) If your number is higher than that range, it will be flagged as questionable, and will require us to visit you to take pictures and validate the accuracy of the meter.

Q. What happens if I am away during the reporting window?

A. The 10-day reporting window usually leaves enough time for reporting. However, if you are away for an extended time, contact Knollwood before you leave. Knollwood will put a note in the system indicating you will not be reporting that month, and you can submit a number covering two months the next time.

Q. What if I forget to report?

A.Typically, Knollwood will contact you.