By the PPA Funding team Last updated
A REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin) is an Ofgem-issued certificate proving one megawatt-hour of electricity came from a renewable source. Whether your business keeps the REGOs from your on-site solar depends on your contract, so check who owns them under a PPA before making green claims.
What is a REGO certificate?
REGO stands for Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin. Ofgem issues one REGO for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated from a renewable source, such as solar, wind or hydro. The certificate is a tracking record that says where and how that unit of power was produced.
REGOs exist so renewable output can be accounted for separately from the physical electrons, which all mix together on the grid. A supplier can retire REGOs to back a green tariff. On-site solar generation can also earn REGOs, though small systems often do not register for them because the administration outweighs the value.
Do you get the REGOs from solar under a PPA?
This depends entirely on the wording of your agreement. Under a Power Purchase Agreement the funder owns the system and sells you the electricity, so the funder may also register for and keep the REGOs unless the contract assigns them to you. Ask the question directly before you sign.
If keeping the certificates matters for your reporting, raise it early so it can be written in. We introduce businesses to funders and can flag this point, but the certificate rules and any tax or accounting treatment sit with Ofgem and your own advisers, so confirm the detail with them.
How REGOs affect your green electricity claims
For electricity you use directly from your own roof, you are consuming renewable power at the point of generation, and that on-site use is generally reported differently from grid-supplied power. Guidance on carbon reporting changes over time, so check the current rules before publishing figures.
Holding or retiring REGOs can support a claim that the electricity you bought came from renewable sources. Without them, double-counting is a risk, because someone else could claim the same green attributes. If public green marketing matters to your business, treat REGO ownership as a point to settle in writing.
This guide is general information, not financial or tax advice. Your circumstances determine what applies — please confirm with your accountant or advisor. Get a tailored proposal →
Frequently asked questions
Are REGOs the same as carbon offsets?
No. A REGO certifies that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable source. A carbon offset represents a reduction or removal of emissions elsewhere. They are separate instruments with different rules, and you should not treat one as a substitute for the other.
Can I sell the REGOs from my solar system?
Potentially, if you own them. REGOs can be traded, and some generators sell them to suppliers. Under a PPA the funder often holds them, so check your contract. Any sale, and its tax treatment, is something to confirm with your advisers.
Related guides
- Commercial solar and PPA jargon glossary: the key terms a business owner meets, in plain English
- Solar battery round-trip efficiency: the energy lost when you store and return electricity
- Solar panel embodied carbon and energy payback: the whole-life sustainability case
See our funding options, commercial solar and solar by industry pages.