CPCNH’s REC Aggregation Program Expands Renewable Energy Access
- Nick Gosling
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
This article is part of CPCNH’s ongoing efforts to inform New Hampshire communities about renewable energy opportunities.
Empowering New Hampshire's Renewable Energy Producers
For many small and mid-sized renewable energy producers in New Hampshire, fully realizing the financial benefits of their clean power generation can be a challenge. While large-scale generators can easily access markets in which to sell their renewable energy certificates, or RECs, individual municipalities, commercial solar owners, and residential producers often struggle to access a fair and transparent REC market. That’s where the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire’s REC Aggregation Program comes in.
In November 2024, CPCNH launched this program to help local renewable energy producers earn revenue from the sale of their RECs. Despite launching on the cusp of winter—when the installation of new photovoltaic systems typically slows—the program has seen steady growth, reflecting New Hampshire’s commitment to sustainable energy.
“Our REC Aggregation Program helps smaller renewable producers overcome barriers to accessing fair markets,” said Mark Bolinger, CPCNH’s director of projects and programs. “Ultimately, it’s about making renewable energy financially viable for all types of producers.”
Understanding RECs and Their Value
A REC represents the environmental and other attributes of one megawatt-hour (or 1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity generated from renewable sources. In New Hampshire, utilities and other electricity providers meet Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements by purchasing RECs from certified renewable energy producers. This process creates a market-driven approach to clean energy adoption.
CPCNH’s current payment rates for NH-certified RECs are listed in the table below. These rates and vintages are updated annually each November, with new pricing posted to cpcnh.org/rec by December 1.
Growth and Participation
As of March 2025, CPCNH’s REC Aggregation Program has enrolled 17 photovoltaic systems across the state, including:
Municipal installations: Three systems totaling 73 kilowatts AC.
Commercial projects: One 33-kilowatt system.
Residential arrays: More than a dozen systems totaling 139 kilowatts.
The program is also in the process of enrolling a biomass boiler that heats an elementary school in a member community, marking CPCNH’s first aggregation of Class I thermal RECs.
“We designed this program to be as accessible as possible for renewable energy producers, regardless of type or size,” said Bolinger. “By offering fair pricing and a transparent process, we’re providing an opportunity for renewable energy producers to maximize the value of their RECs while also helping to increase the renewable content of the electricity products that we offer to communities across New Hampshire.”
How CPCNH’s Approach Is Different
Unlike other REC aggregators that resell certificates at a markup, CPCNH retires all RECs it purchases. This ensures that all renewable energy credits contribute directly to CPCNH’s electricity products, such as Granite Basic, Granite Plus, Clean 50, and Clean 100.
“Our approach is unique because we aren’t reselling these RECs for profit,” Bolinger said. “Instead, we’re ensuring that they go toward strengthening local renewable energy portfolios and making clean energy more accessible for New Hampshire communities.”
Additionally, CPCNH operates as a nonprofit entity, allowing it to offer highly competitive pricing. The program aims to pass along the average market price for RECs, deducting only minimal administrative costs.
How to Enroll
Eligible renewable generators and thermal energy producers that wish to enroll will fall into one of three categories:
New installations: Facilities that have not yet registered with the New Hampshire Department of Energy to generate RECs.
Previously registered, not yet selling: Systems that are registered to generate RECs but are not currently selling them.
Switching aggregators: Systems that are currently selling RECs to another aggregator but wish to transition to CPCNH.
Step-by-step enrollment instructions for each of these three categories are available on the REC Aggregation Program website.
Looking Ahead
Each November, CPCNH reviews market conditions to adjust the REC purchase prices for the upcoming calendar year. Updated rates are posted by December 1. Participants have the flexibility to opt out without penalty during December if they choose not to accept the new pricing.
“Our goal is to provide a stable market that fairly rewards renewable energy producers and ultimately strengthens energy independence in New Hampshire communities,” Bolinger added.
