Switching electricity providers in Texas is as easy as a flip of a switch \u2014 and has been since the state deregulated its electricity market in 2002. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s right! Whether it\u2019s solar, wind, natural gas or coal, if it generates power, there\u2019s most likely an electricity plan for it in Texas, thanks to deregulation. However, when it comes to switching from conventional power to a green electricity plan in your home, some believe that means bringing in fancy technology. They resist using renewable energy because they\u2019re worried that switching power plans requires too much change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t need to install solar panels to lower your carbon footprint<\/a>, help the environment and support green energy. It\u2019s much simpler than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using renewable energy<\/a> in your house works just like conventional power. Just as you don\u2019t need your own personal coal plant in your backyard, you don\u2019t need your own solar panels. As long as you\u2019re connected to the power grid, which most of us are, you can tap into renewable energy to power your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The electricity that powers homes \u2014 whether renewable or not \u2014 comes from the power grid. Fun fact: Texas has its own power grid<\/a> \u2013 and it\u2019s the only state that does! You can also thank the Texas power grid (run by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT<\/a>) for not making you invest in electricity-generating technology to enjoy the benefits of green energy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n After generators produce power, it\u2019s transmitted across the state first through high voltage power lines and then distributed to homes and businesses on the power lines you see lining city streets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the twist: Once power enters the grid, you can\u2019t distinguish how that power was sourced. Hence, when you buy green energy, you\u2019re actually buying green energy credits. Also known as Renewable Energy Certificates<\/a> or RECs, these credits ensure you\u2019re purchasing 100% green electricity. Confused yet? We\u2019ll break it down for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to purchase a green electricity plan for your home, it\u2019s important you understand how a REC works. These credits serve as the currency for all renewable energy on the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each REC represents one megawatt hour (MWh, or 1,000 kilowatt-hours) of electricity produced from renewable power generators and added to the grid. To be considered a REC, it must be added to the grid. This means if you have renewable energy technology such as solar panels to generate electricity for your home, you aren\u2019t creating RECs. By purchasing a REC, you are signaling to the energy industry the importance of generating green power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take Chariot, for example. Not only are we a retail electricity provider, but we\u2019re also developing our own solar panels to feed the power grid. This means we\u2019ll generate our own RECs \u2013<\/a> and you can buy them! And once you use that power, the certificate is considered retired so it can no longer be claimed for use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These credits, however, represent only one part of the clean energy<\/a> market. Consumers and businesses can also cut their carbon footprint without the use of technology with Voluntary Emission Reductions, more commonly known as carbon offsets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While RECs represent the power generated from renewable energy, carbon offsets<\/a> represent the avoidance or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions<\/a>. This is their key differentiator and comparing the two would be like comparing apples to oranges. Still, many people often confuse them, which is why it\u2019s worth noting their differences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Offsetting carbon involves a specific activity to reduce, capture or store carbon emissions in some shape or form. For example, planting trees is considered an effective carbon offset project because trees capture and store carbon in the earth. On the other hand, when you purchase a REC, you\u2019re purchasing power generated from renewable energy resources \u2013 not just offsetting the fossil fuels you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you purchase a green electricity plan (which involves RECs), you\u2019re directly <\/em>investing in the green energy sector and indirectly <\/em>lowering your carbon footprint by offsetting the demand for fossil fuel power. You\u2019re also diversifying Texas\u2019s energy portfolio, which makes the grid more reliable as the demand for electricity increases in conjunction with the state\u2019s population growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without these credits, you couldn\u2019t tell if the power you purchase is green or not. 100% green electricity plans like those we offer at Chariot allow you to confidently claim you are a true user of clean, green power.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEnjoy 100% Green Energy Without the Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Electricity Travels to Your Home from the Grid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Renewable Energy Certificates Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Difference Between RECs and Carbon Offsets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RECs Support the Renewable Energy Industry and Lower Emissions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Supporting the Green Energy Sector Has Never Been More Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n