Residential Federal Credit: $0·§25D Ended After Dec 31, 2025·50 States + DC Covered·State Incentives Only·Calculator Uses $0 Federal Credit·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial §48E: General Info, Not Tax Advice·No Sales Calls · No Email Gates·Residential Federal Credit: $0·§25D Ended After Dec 31, 2025·50 States + DC Covered·State Incentives Only·Calculator Uses $0 Federal Credit·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial §48E: General Info, Not Tax Advice·No Sales Calls · No Email Gates·Residential Federal Credit: $0·§25D Ended After Dec 31, 2025·50 States + DC Covered·State Incentives Only·Calculator Uses $0 Federal Credit·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial §48E: General Info, Not Tax Advice·No Sales Calls · No Email Gates·Residential Federal Credit: $0·§25D Ended After Dec 31, 2025·50 States + DC Covered·State Incentives Only·Calculator Uses $0 Federal Credit·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial §48E: General Info, Not Tax Advice·No Sales Calls · No Email Gates·
::SREC
SRECs Explained: How to Earn Money From Solar Energy
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) are tradable credits issued for every megawatt-hour your solar system produces. In states with active SREC markets, homeowners can sell these certificates to utilities or compliance buyers — generating ongoing income separate from electricity bill savings.
States With SRECs
9 states currently offer srecs. Click into any state for the specific terms.
Your solar system's production is metered (typically by an independent reading service). For every 1 MWh produced, one SREC is generated. SRECs are sold on state-specific markets — either spot prices or under multi-year contracts — to utilities required to meet a state Renewable Portfolio Standard.
How SRECs Relates to the Ended Federal Credit
SREC income is recurring revenue and is separate from the ended federal residential credit. SREC payments are taxable as ordinary income in most states. A 2026 residential install does not also get a federal credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have active SREC markets?
As of 2026, the active markets are New Jersey (TREC successor), Massachusetts (SMART), Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Delaware, the District of Columbia, and Connecticut. Other states use alternative incentive structures.
How much can I earn from SRECs?
Highly variable. New Jersey clears at $80-$220 per SREC; Pennsylvania at $30-$60. A typical 8 kW residential system produces ~10 SRECs per year, so annual income ranges from $300 to $2,200 depending on state and clearing price.
Do I sell SRECs myself or use an aggregator?
Most homeowners use an aggregator who handles registration, metering, and sale to compliance buyers in exchange for a percentage of revenue. DIY sale is possible but requires registering with the state's tracking system and finding institutional buyers directly.