What are REGOs and how do they benefit commercial solar installations?
- Rosie Robinson-Jones
- Nov 18, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 5
As more UK businesses join the renewable transition, it is important to understand the additional value streams that enhance the return on solar installations. One such opportunity is through REGOs - Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin.
The REGO scheme is a UK government-backed certification led by Ofgem, the energy regulator responsible for overseeing and maintaining fairness and transparency in the UK energy market.
REGO’s carry both commercial and reputational value.
What Are REGOs?
Each REGO certificate is issued for and represents one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated by a renewable source such as solar, wind or hydro.
These certificates are recognised as formal green energy tokens for your system’s generation providing evidence of compliance with sustainability requirements and standards.
Whether the electricity is used onsite or exported to the grid, REGO certificates can still be claimed by the generator and either sold or retained, depending on your strategy and sustainability goals. This makes REGOs a flexible and traceable asset within the renewable energy market.
How are REGO’s collected
Each REGO certificate represents 1 MWh of verified green energy and can be issued to eligible systems. All installations must undergo a thorough Ofgem application process, and once approved, monthly or annual generation can be submitted using the data collected from your MID approved meter. Certificates are then issued on a monthly or annual basis.
At Eden Sustainable, as part of the post installation handover, we provide the documentation, guidance and support to enable clients to complete the Ofgem registration and verification process.
How Do REGOs Benefit Commercial Solar Owners?
While REGOs do not currently carry high standalone market value, they offer recognised proof of renewable generation and this verification alone brings several key advantages for commercial system owners:
Additional Revenue Stream
REGOs are most commonly sold through energy suppliers alongside exported electricity, under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), however they can also be traded independently. Both options amplify the overall revenue opportunity, creating a modest but consistent income stream over time.
Enhancing Export PPA Value
If your system is exporting energy back to the grid, then some energy suppliers offer higher export rates for sites that agree to transfer REGO ownership alongside their exported energy. This makes the electricity more attractive to buyers building a renewable energy portfolio.
REGOs can be sold or transferred annually, and it’s advisable to shop around or ask your Export PPA provider for their current rate. Transferring REGOs strategically can boost overall return from your solar asset.
Sustainability Reporting
REGOs play a crucial role in corporate sustainability reporting, supporting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and internal net-zero goals. Holding and retiring REGOs allows companies to claim the environmental benefit of the electricity they generate, contributing to formal sustainability statements and third-party audits.
Marketability of Green Credentials
Being able to verify renewable generation through REGO certificates significantly enhances a business’s green credentials. This is particularly useful in sectors where sustainability influences customer decisions or plays a role in public or private tendering processes.
Some fossil fuel or high-emission companies also purchase REGOs to offset their carbon footprint. By acquiring REGO certificates, they gain formal recognition for supporting green energy, making your renewable output more valuable in the broader energy market.
How Are REGOs Managed and Traded?
REGOs are issued electronically via Ofgem’s Renewable and CHP Register, usually on a monthly or annual basis, based on metered generation data. To access REGOs, the solar installation must be registered with Ofgem and meet all relevant scheme requirements. As mentioned, the process for an installation to be verified can be thorough, but the long-term returns and added asset value make it worthwhile.
At Eden Sustainable, we provide all the documentation required to make the REGO application process as smooth as possible, and remain available post construction to support clients through the process.
In practice, many commercial solar owners assign REGO management to their energy supplier or export aggregator under the terms of their Export PPA.
Alternatively, some system owners may choose to retain the REGOs and retire them themselves, especially if they wish to report on their own green energy generation.
Conclusion
REGOs may be small in scale per unit, but they play a significant role in verifying and increasing the value of clean energy. For commercial solar installations, REGOs represent financial, strategic, and reputational benefits - from boosting export returns and supporting ESG goals, to improving market visibility and traceability of your sustainability claims.
Understanding and leveraging REGOs effectively ensures your solar system continues to deliver value beyond just electricity generation.
The Future of your system
Did you know that at Eden Sustainable, we offer a system buy-back scheme for clients with self-funded solar installations. As part of this, we will purchase your system, releasing you valuable capital, conduct the ongoing monitoring and operational requirements and be responsible for the health & asset management of the equipment.
Please do reach out if you would like to find out more or would value and informal chat with Eden Sustainable.
