Renewable Thermal in State Renewable Portfolio Standards

Although RPSs have historically focused on electricity generation, some states include renewable thermal power for heat generation. Among those 14 states, there is significant variation in (1) the eligible renewable thermal technologies, (2) how energy output is measured and monitored, (3) how REC values are determined, and (4) how the technologies are classified in the RPS. This report provides an overview of how states across the country are incorporating renewable thermal technologies into their RPS programs.

This is a revised and updated version of the report, which was originally published in April 2015.