groups

Personally, I'm on the fence. I suspect that they're a good thing if you can afford them (on top of all your other efforts to thwart global warming) and/or you derive a benefit from being able to claim that you use renewable energy. For example, if you're a business like Whole Foods or Pepsi (two of the largest purchasers of RECs), you get a tangible benefit from the PR value.

Conversely: For an individual with limited funds, I suspect there are ways to have a better impact with the same investment. Like, for example, investing in companies that are trying to invent methods of manufacturing cheap, efficient, durable solar panels. Or more efficient battery technology.

Another reason I'm somewhat disinclined toward RECs is that the available RECs are for wind power generation and, although I can see wind power as *part* of the solution, large wind farms don't make me happy (being a lover of the wilderness areas that are prime candidates for wind farming). I would prefer a future where houses generate much of their own energy instead of relying on large, central power-generation facilities.