When you choose a 100% renewable energy plan from CleanSky Energy, you’re selecting a practical option that supports cleaner power and long-term energy sustainability. But you might be wondering:
If my electricity still comes through the same power lines as everyone else, how is it really 100% renewable?
The answer lies in something called a Renewable Energy Certificate, or REC.
This post explains what RECs are, how they work, and how CleanSky Energy uses them to match every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity you use with clean, renewable energy from wind, solar, hydro, or a combination of sources.
What Is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is an official record that represents proof that 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source and added to the power grid.
Each REC includes key details about the energy it represents, such as:
- The type of renewable resource (wind, solar, hydro, etc.)
- The location of the generation facility
- The date the energy was produced
In essence, RECs are the tracking system for renewable energy. They make it possible for individuals and companies to claim the environmental benefits of clean power, even when the actual electricity on the grid is a mix of renewable and non-renewable sources.
Why RECs Matter
RECs are more than just a certification. They’re the mechanism that makes 100% renewable electricity possible. When you purchase a CleanSky Energy plan, we buy enough RECs to match the total amount of electricity you use each month.
That means for every kWh you consume, an equivalent kWh of clean, renewable power is generated and certified somewhere on the grid.
By doing so, you’re:
- Supporting renewable growth: Each REC purchased creates real demand for clean energy projects, encouraging developers to build more wind turbines, solar farms, and hydro facilities.
- Ensuring transparency: RECs are tracked and verified through trusted registries like ERCOT’s REC Program and Green-e®, which ensures every REC is unique and cannot be double-counted.
- Offsetting your carbon footprint: Even if your home or business can’t host solar panels or wind turbines, RECs let you contribute directly to renewable generation.
How CleanSky Energy Uses RECs
When you choose CleanSky Energy, we don’t just claim your electricity is renewable. We back it with real, certified RECs.
Here’s how it works:
- Renewable generation: A clean energy facility, such as a wind farm in Texas, generates electricity and sends it into the power grid.
- Certification: For every megawatt-hour produced, an independent registry issues a REC to verify that renewable energy was generated.
- Matching: CleanSky purchases enough RECs each month to match 100% of our customers’ electricity use.
- Retirement: Once we “retire” those RECs, they’re permanently taken out of circulation. This guarantees no other company can claim the same clean energy.
The Renewable Sources Behind CleanSky Energy Plans
CleanSky Energy gives you the power to choose whether you prefer solar, wind, or a blend of renewables. Each source contributes uniquely to a cleaner grid and helps diversify the nation’s energy mix.
Solar Energy
How it works:
Solar power harnesses sunlight through photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert the sun’s rays directly into electricity. These panels are installed in large-scale solar farms or on rooftops across the country.
Why it’s powerful:
Solar energy is abundant, silent, and increasingly affordable. It shines brightest during daylight hours when electricity demand is often highest.
CleanSky connection:
Many CleanSky plans include solar RECs that support U.S.-based solar farms, driving investment in new solar infrastructure and clean energy innovation.
Wind Energy
How it works:
Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of the wind and turn it into electricity. In states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Iowa, wind power has become a dominant renewable resource.
Why it’s powerful:
Wind energy produces zero emissions, is cost-effective, and provides large-scale renewable generation. This is important during nighttime hours when solar is offline.
CleanSky connection:
CleanSky Energy proudly sources RECs from wind farms across the United States, including top wind-producing regions like Texas. Our Affordable Wind plans make it easy for customers to support clean energy while helping maintain America’s leadership in renewable power.
Hydroelectric Energy
How it works:
Hydropower uses flowing water to spin turbines that produce electricity. This can come from rivers, reservoirs, or “run-of-river” systems that have minimal environmental impact.
Why it’s powerful:
Hydropower offers consistent, reliable generation and can ramp up quickly to meet energy demand, making it a strong complement to intermittent sources like wind and solar.
CleanSky connection:
CleanSky Energy’s Embrace Green plans feature a renewable energy blend that may include hydropower, wind, and solar – strategically optimized to deliver the most cost-efficient mix of clean power. By incorporating hydro RECs from sustainable facilities across North America, Embrace Green gives customers an option that’s good for your budget and good for the environment.
What 100% Renewable Energy Really Means
A common misconception is that a “100% renewable” plan means the electricity flowing into your home comes directly from a wind or solar farm. In reality, power from all sources enters the same shared grid.
What CleanSky Energy guarantees is that for every unit of electricity you consume, we purchase and retire RECs equal to that amount.
So while you’re drawing electricity from the same wires as everyone else, your energy usage is fully offset by renewable generation, verified and certified through the REC system.
It’s the most practical and impactful way to make renewable energy accessible to everyone, without needing to invest in often costly solar panels.
The Benefits of Choosing a CleanSky Energy Plan
By choosing CleanSky Energy, you’re doing more than just paying your power bill. You’re making a statement that clean, renewable energy should be available, affordable, and reliable for everyone.
Here’s what sets CleanSky apart:
- 100% Clean Energy for Every Home: Every plan is backed by RECs that support renewable generation across the U.S.
- Competitive Rates Meets Clean Energy: Our plans make it easier to choose renewables at rates that work for your budget.
- Real Environmental Impact: CleanSky has helped offset millions of pounds of CO₂ emissions through REC purchases.
- Transparent and Simple: We make it easy to understand how your clean energy plan works.
