Xcel Energy Case Study: Certified Renewable Percentage Program: Enabling Customers to Count Renewables in the Utility Grid Mix Toward Their Renewable Energy Goals

Xcel Energy's Certified Renewable Percentage (CRP) program enables customers to account for the renewable energy already present in the local grid mix by retiring Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) on their behalf. Launched in Wisconsin and Minnesota, with pending approval in Colorado, the program allows cities and corporations to combine grid-based renewable credits with voluntary purchases, such as the Renewable*Connect program, to reach goals of up to 100% renewable energy. The program's application varies by state based on tariff structures, and Xcel Energy provides calculator tools to help customers determine their specific renewable percentages.

• The Certified Renewable Percentage (CRP) program allows customers to claim a portion of RECs retired by Xcel Energy, recognizing that the cost of these renewable investments is recovered through customer rates.
• The program is designed to be additive to other voluntary actions, enabling customers to combine the CRP with on-site renewables, Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (vPPAs), other REC procurements, or Xcel's Renewable*Connect program to achieve up to 100% renewable energy.
• The application of the CRP varies by state due to different tariff structures; for example, in Wisconsin, the CRP only applies to the unsubscribed portion of a customer's usage, whereas in Colorado, it could potentially apply to the entire usage.
• The CRP has been launched in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and Xcel Energy is seeking approval from the Public Utility Commission in Colorado to implement the program there.
• Xcel Energy's CRP is similar to Mid-American Energy's GreenAdvantage program in Iowa, but differs in its treatment of RECs associated with wholesale and trade margin energy sales to avoid shifting spot market attribution to retail customers.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Xcel Energy Case Study: Certified Renewable Percentage Program: Enabling Customers to Count Renewables in the Utility Grid Mix Toward Their Renewable Energy Goals. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/uploads/Xcel_Energy_CRP_Case_Study_for_CPC_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Xcel Energy Case Study: Certified Renewable Percentage Program: Enabling Customers to Count Renewables in the Utility Grid Mix Toward Their Renewable Energy Goals. n.d. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/uploads/Xcel_Energy_CRP_Case_Study_for_CPC_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Xcel Energy Case Study: Certified Renewable Percentage Program: Enabling Customers to Count Renewables in the Utility Grid Mix Toward Their Renewable Energy Goals |url=https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/uploads/Xcel_Energy_CRP_Case_Study_for_CPC_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendxcel, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Xcel Energy Case Study: Certified Renewable Percentage Program: Enabling Customers to Count Renewables in the Utility Grid Mix Toward Their Renewable Energy Goals}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/uploads/Xcel_Energy_CRP_Case_Study_for_CPC_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }