Green-e Energy Verification

The Green-e Energy verification process consists of two main elements:

• An annual Verification Process Audit of renewable energy sales and supply
  • Verification process audit documents: instructions, protocols, attestations and timelines
  • Generators that have Submitted Tracking Attestations, which are documents used to streamline the verification of certain facilities' RECs for Green-e Energy purposes
  • Auditors that have performed previous satisfactory audits
• Twice-annual Marketing Compliance Reviews of marketing materials

Request for Proposals - Green-e Energy Verification Software

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is soliciting proposals for the development of an online data submission and management system for Green-e Energy annual verification processes.

CRS is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit in San Francisco, California, working to mitigate climate change by building policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency. CRS administers the Green-e programs.

This project is to create a custom data collection and management system to streamline an annual verification process conducted by the Green-e Energy renewable energy certification and consumer protection program. This project is limited in scope to data provided to Green-e Energy by up to 200 companies each year, and will involve secure online data submission, data validation and aggregation, user interface, and data export features. See below for the data and user parameters, desired features, budget, timeline and contact information, as well as details on submitting a proposal to develop this software solution.

Proposals are due by 4pm Pacific time on June 17, 2011.

Download the RFP here: CRS Verification RFP

Additional Documents for RFP

• Data Screens and Validations for RFP: This set of spreadsheets lists the type of data collected, how each piece of data should be validated, and provides a sample layout for data entry and / or export.
• User Interface Decision Tree: This document goes through a sample set of questions to as system users to help them input data. The set of spreadsheets lists the type of data collected, how each piece of data should be validated, and provides a sample layout for data entry and / or export.
• Webinar: This is the Green-e Energy Briefing Webinar on the RFP for Software Developers that was held on May 26th, 2011.
• RFP Webinar Slides: This document includes the slides of Green-e Energy's webinar held on the 26th of May 2011 to provide more background information on the expectations for the software system, the procedure for submitting a proposal, and on the verification process the software is meant to support.
• RFP Webinar Question Log: The document summarizes all questions answered by Green-e Energy Staff during the webinar held on the 26th of May 2011. All answers can be accessed by listening to the webinar's recording.

Verification Process Audit

The Verification Process Audit requires providers of retail and wholesale Green-e certified renewable energy products to complete an annual third-party verification audit of their renewable energy purchases and sales.

The Verification Process Audit is designed by the Center for Resource Solutions and conducted by an independent certified public accounting firm. The Verification Process Audit uses company contracts, invoices, and billing statements to verify the following:

• that the provider purchased enough renewable electricity or RECs in quantity and type to meet its customer demand for each product;
• that the electricity or RECs were purchased from eligible renewable generators, as defined in the Green-e Energy National Standard;
• that the information provided to customers on the product's annual Product Content Label is accurate;
• that the company did not make any specific purchases of nuclear power;
• that the renewable electricity or RECs purchased and sold by the provider were not sold to more than one customer;
• that the provider has purchased no electricity or RECs from fuel sources for which negative marketing claims were made; and
• that any non-renewable portion of the product meets the emissions requirements set by the Green-e Energy National Standard.

Verification Audit Documents, Generators in Tracking Systems, and Auditors

Click here for Green-e Energy verification instructions, protocols, atteststions, timelines and other verification documents.

Click here for a list of renewable energy generation facilities that have submitted Tracking Attestations. Tracking Attestations are signed by generators to streamline the verification of certain facilities' RECs for Green-e Energy purposes. The form is available on the Verification Documents page.

Click here for a list of auditors that have completed at least one satisfactory Verification Process Audit and have agreed to appear on this Web site. Green-e Energy verification protocols are designed so that any licensed Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor can perform the audit.

Attestation Forms for Marketers, Utilities and ESPs:

• Generator Attestation for Electricity and RECs. Last modified May 2008
• Wholesale Attestation for Electricity and RECs. Last modified May 2008
• Small Generator Attestation, for RECs from facilities 10 kW or less. Last modified March 2009, to correct a typographical error
• Tracking Attestation for Electricity and RECs, to be signed by generators selling renewables through a tracking system. Last modified April 2010. This version is to be used by all facilities requesting reconignition of Green-e Energy eligibility in a tracking system; older forms will be returned.
  • "Requirements for Using Tracking Systems in Green-e Energy Annual Verification" is avialable as Appendix E of the RY2010 Verification Instructions, above.

Green-e Energy Annual Verification Report
to see Green-e Verification Reports since 1998, please see the Publications page.

Marketing Compliance Review

The Marketing Compliance Review (MCR), conducted by Green-e Energy staff, ensures that the marketers and utilities offering a renewable energy option are abiding by the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements.

During MCR, staff confirms that the renewable energy provider is not making false or misleading statements about their product and that they have made pricing, power, and contract disclosure to customers in a standardized format. This review occurs twice a year, in February and August. The Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and Customer Disclosure Requirements outlines Green-e Energy requirements with regards to MCR, consumer information disclosure, and logo use and language.

Download Feb2012 MCR Files

1. February 2012 MCR Checklist. To be completed by Green-e Energy participants during each round of MCR to which they are subject.
2. MCR Compliance Enforcement Schedule
3. Letter Request for Documents (Feb 2012)
4. MCR Sample Results Form. A sample report form to be used for reference.