Social RECs
Renewable Energy Credits authenticated and embedded with equity
Social RECs® pass 100% of the proceeds to our Community Partners for community-determined social impact initiatives.
What are renewable energy credits?
“A Renewable Energy Credit is a market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation”
- United States Environmental Protection Agency
How do Social RECs Work?
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Social RECs® are registered, and retired like traditional RECs through regional registries. The social impact of Social RECs® is assessed with a detailed analysis of social-technical data using tools including but not limited to the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST.)
Most importantly, Social REC® proceeds are dictated by a community-informed Community Benefit Agreement or CBA. This assures that all social impact claims are validated by the actual communities they are intended to serve.
By utilizing existing equity data combined with direct community input, Social REC® revenue brings economic inclusion and restorative justice to underserved communities.
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Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) guarantee new projects act in the best interest of their communities.
CBAs are legally binding contracts between developers and communities through which the latter can define what initiatives would garner support for local renewable energy projects. CBAs help communities demand a commitment to building local infrastructure, hiring and sourcing locally, regulating pollution, and more. These contracts also keep companies and developers accountable, enabling the tracking and achievement of these social impact goals. Ultimately, CBAs foster authentic progress towards increased equity and overall project success.
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Social RECs® are exclusively found in the Solar Stewards Marketplace. To purchase Social RECs®, one must become a Climate Steward Member.
Within the Solar Stewards Marketplace Climate Stewards have the opportunity shop projects created by our Community Partners, bid on and buy Social RECs®, track impact, and tell authentic stories.
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Our Community Partners can be described as suppliers of green energy that have a beneficial impact on their local community. To sell Social RECs®, an org bust join the Social Stewards Marketplace.
Examples include community-based organizations, equitable financing institutions, minority and women-owned small businesses, and equity-minded solar service providers.
All Solar Stewards’ Community Partners have a track record of facilitating community-driven, equitable climate action.
Join the Solar Stewards Marketplace
Our Solar Stewards Marketplace connects our Community Partners with our Climate Stewards, or corporations who have joined our Marketplace in order to support climate justice and source Social REC® opportunities. Join Us!