---
title: "Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) — Class A Atlas glossary"
description: "Tradable certificate proving 1 MWh of renewable generation."
canonical: https://classa.info/glossary/renewable-energy-certificate
pageType: glossary
lastUpdated: 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z
license: "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info)."
---

> Tradable certificate proving 1 MWh of renewable generation.

## TL;DR

- Tradable certificate proving 1 MWh of renewable generation.
- Allows a landlord/tenant to claim renewable-electricity consumption when the local grid is fossil-heavy.

# Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)

*ESG · US*

## Short definition

Tradable certificate proving 1 MWh of renewable generation.

## Full definition

Allows a landlord/tenant to claim renewable-electricity consumption when the local grid is fossil-heavy. Bundled and unbundled markets exist; transparency varies by jurisdiction.

## Why this matters for Class A leasing

Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is part of the esg vocabulary that institutional [Class A](/glossary/class-a) occupiers, landlords, and advisers use across US markets. Understanding it correctly affects how you read lease documents, model occupancy economics, and benchmark deal terms across cities. Class A Atlas tracks the US definition alongside the global standard so [cross-border](/topics/cross-border-expansion) occupiers can translate quickly.

## Related topics

- [**ESG / LEED for Tenants**](/topics/esg-leed-tenants) — How tenants evaluate, negotiate, and report on ESG performance in a Class A office lease.

---

Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/glossary/renewable-energy-certificate), updated 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z.