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Income scheme · Updated 12 May 2026
REGO sales — selling renewable origin certificates from your solar
REGO sales 2026 — how UK commercial solar generators sell Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin certificates above 1MW. Prices, brokers, contracts.
Overview
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) are certificates issued by Ofgem to UK renewable generators. One REGO corresponds to one megawatt-hour (MWh) of certified renewable electricity. They are the UK's equivalent of the EU's Guarantees of Origin and serve a single market function: they allow energy suppliers to claim a 'renewable' fuel mix for their domestic tariffs without buying the underlying electricity directly. This separation — sometimes called certificate ‘de-coupling’ — means the electricity you generate can be sold to one buyer (via PPA or SEG) while the renewable claim is sold separately to another buyer through the REGO market.
For most commercial solar systems under 1MWp, REGO sales add a modest 0.5p-1p per kWh on top of the SEG export tariff — useful but not transformative. For larger systems (above 1MWp, where SEG no longer applies and you operate in the wholesale market), REGOs become an important revenue stream alongside the wholesale electricity price. Solar farms above 5MWp typically derive 10-20% of total revenue from REGO sales.
Key facts at a glance
| REGO scheme regulator | Ofgem |
| Issuance basis | 1 REGO per MWh of renewable generation |
| Current REGO market price (2026) | Approximately £8 – £20 per certificate (i.e. 0.8p – 2p per kWh) |
| Cost to register | £375 per accreditation + £30 per year (fees subject to change) |
| Common brokers | ENGIE, Bryt Energy, ECOHZ, Renewables Trading |
| Best fit | Solar systems above 1MWp; particularly solar farms and large industrial rooftops |
Eligibility criteria
- System must be accredited by Ofgem under the Renewable Obligation (RO) or, for newer systems, under the REGO scheme directly. Accreditation is a one-time process.
- Metering must be export-export-compliant for REGO issuance — typically a half-hourly settled meter.
- MCS certification helps but is not strictly required for REGO accreditation.
- REGOs are issued for all generation, including self-consumption. So you can sell REGOs for the electricity you use yourself (provided it is renewable).
- The scheme runs on a 'reporting period' basis — typically annual — with REGOs issued shortly after the period ends.
- Subsidy control: REGOs don't count as subsidy because they are a market-based mechanism, not a public grant.
How to apply
Step 1 — Apply for Ofgem accreditation.
Submit an REGO accreditation application through Ofgem's online portal. Documents required: MCS certificate (where applicable), metering description, DNO connection agreement, system specification.
Step 2 — Provide quarterly generation data.
Half-hourly metering data feed to Ofgem. Most renewable generators use an accredited third-party data agent.
Step 3 — Receive REGOs.
Issued quarterly by Ofgem to your REGO Register account.
Step 4 — Sell REGOs.
Most generators use a broker (ENGIE, Bryt Energy, ECOHZ, Renewables Trading) to find buyers among energy suppliers. Contracts can be spot or 1-3 year forward.
Step 5 — Transfer REGOs.
Ofgem's REGO Register handles the transfer at the point of sale.
Step 6 — Receive payment.
Typically 30-60 days from REGO transfer.
Watch-outs and pitfalls
- REGO accreditation has a cost. Fees of £375 + £30 annual are small for large systems but uneconomic for systems below 50kWp.
- REGO market prices are volatile. They moved from £0.50 per certificate in 2017 to over £30 per certificate in 2022 (driven by oversupply concerns and EU GO market pressure). Current 2026 pricing is around £8-£20.
- Brokers take 5-15% margin. Direct sales to energy suppliers are possible but harder for smaller generators.
- REGOs and SEG can be claimed simultaneously. SEG is paid for the underlying export energy; REGOs are an additional layer for the renewable claim.
- Energy supplier tariff disclosure rules (Ofgem's Fuel Mix Disclosure) are tightening. The value of separately purchased REGOs to suppliers is under regulatory review — REGO prices could fall significantly if rules change.
Stacking with other grants and reliefs
Most successful 2026 commercial solar projects use a combination of schemes — this is where independent advice earns its keep. REGO sales — selling renewable origin certificates from your solar typically combines well with:
- Smart Export Guarantee for businesses — 3p–15p per kWh exported (2026 fixed tariffs)
- Full Expensing for business solar PV — 100% first-year deduction — no upper limit
Sources & further reading
Related schemes
Income scheme Tax relief
Other relevant grants & reliefs
Full Expensing for business solar PV
Full Expensing 2026 — UK limited companies can deduct 100% of commercial solar capex from corporation tax with no cap. Eligibility, examples...
100% first-year deduction — no upper limit
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is REGO sales — selling renewable origin certificates from your solar?
Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) are certificates issued by Ofgem to UK renewable generators. One REGO corresponds to one megawatt-hour (MWh) of certified renewable electricity. They are the UK's equivalent of the EU's Guarantees of Origin and serve a single market function: they allow energy suppliers to claim a 'renewable' fuel mix for their domestic tariffs without buying the underlying electricity directly. This separation — sometimes called certificate ‘de-coupling’ — means the electricity you generate can be sold to one buyer (via PPA or SEG) while the renewable claim is sold separately to another buyer through the REGO market.
Is the scheme open for applications in 2026?
As of May 2026, the scheme's funding status is: Ongoing — REGO scheme runs continuously. We re-check application windows monthly — if this is critical to your planning, request an eligibility check for the current programme status.
How much can a UK business get?
Typical award range: 0.5p – 2p per kWh of renewable generation (REGO market price). The size of any individual award depends on project capex, sector eligibility, match funding available and the scheme's per-applicant cap.
Who administers the scheme?
Ofgem (issuance); broker market (sales). Applications are submitted through the administrator's process — we link the relevant gov.uk and scheme pages at the bottom of this guide.
What are the biggest pitfalls applicants fall into?
REGO accreditation has a cost. Fees of £375 + £30 annual are small for large systems but uneconomic for systems below 50kWp. REGO market prices are volatile. They moved from £0.50 per certificate in 2017 to over £30 per certificate in 2022 (driven by oversupply concerns and EU GO market pressure). Current 2026 pricing is around £8-£20. Brokers take 5-15% margin. Direct sales to energy suppliers are possible but harder for smaller generators.
Check if your business qualifies
Free 60-second eligibility check tells you whether REGO sales — selling renewable origin certificates from your solar applies — and which other schemes can stack.
Run free eligibility check Or call 0800 246 1132