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FAQs

General GATS Questions

Q1. What are the fees associated with using GATS?
Q2. I recently sold my property. Am I still entitled to receive the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) generated by that system following the sale?
Q3. What is the difference between the compliance market and the voluntary market?
Q4. I received an email that my application needs a correction. How do I make the correction?
Q5. I have a solar system on my house. How do I get SREC’s ?

GATS Functionality

Q1. How do I become a GATS user?
Q2. I forgot my password, how can I reset it?
Q3. How do I add someone to my GATS account?

Generation Entry

Q1. When can I report my generation data?
Q2. How is my generation reported into GATS?
Q3. Which method of loading my generation data is preferred?
Q4. How do I read my meter?
Q5. My solar meter is faulty and must be replaced. What should I do?
Q6. Can I change the generation entry type to Production Estimates if I have already reported and processed generation?
Q7. I uploaded incorrect meter readings. What should I do?
Q8. I missed the generation entry deadline. Can I report generation data for multiple months at once?
Q9. Can I upload generation data for several generators?
Q10. I am trying to enter data for a previous month and the system is stating that “certificates already exist for this period.” What am I doing wrong?
Q11. I am entering my meter reading for the first time. What do I place as my previous month’s generation?

Certificate Creation

Q1. When are certificates created in GATS?
Q2. Where are my SRECs?

Transfer Functionality

Q1. I transferred my SRECs to the wrong account. What can I do?

General RPS Questions

Q1. What is the reporting period for my state?
Q2. How long can I hold onto my (S)RECs?

General GATS Questions

A1. What are the fees associated with using GATS?
Fees are dependent on the account type and transaction volume. Please refer to Appendix A – GATS Fees (PDF) for details regarding the types of fees.

A2. I recently sold my property. Am I still entitled to receive the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) generated by that system following the sale?
Typically, SRECs remain with the property unless an agreement is made between the buyer and the seller. Proper documentation is required to demonstrate this agreement. PJM EIS requires a copy of the Agreement of Sale stating that the SRECs will remain with the original owner. Additionally, both parties must sign the PJM EIS System Ownership Transfer Request Form (PDF). A Schedule A (PDF) is also required, stating that the new owner grants the seller permission to manage the system and retain the SRECs.

A3. What is the difference between the compliance market and the voluntary market?
A utility company uses the compliance market to satisfy its obligations for a particular state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). If a utility fails to meet its RPS requirement, it faces a penalty for every megawatt-hour it is short, known as an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP). This ACP effectively sets the ceiling or maximum price for an SREC in that market. In contrast, the voluntary market is driven by companies who choose to purchase specific types of electricity to meet their own sustainability goals. The voluntary market is not bound by ACP; instead, SREC prices can fetch a wide range of values based on various factors.

A4. I received an email that my application needs a correction. How do I make the correction?
To make the necessary corrections, navigate to the Asset Management box in your GATS account. This can be found at the bottom of the home page. Click on the ‘Plant – Unit’ name. This will return you to your generator application. Once you have made the appropriate changes, be sure to click ‘Save’. Your generator application will then return to ‘Pending’ status to be reviewed again.

A5. I have a solar system on my house. How do I get SREC’s ?
Your generator must be certified by at least one state program; please contact your local state program administrator for details. Contact information can be found under Program Information.

Once certified, the first step is to register for an account in the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS). Once your account is approved, sign in to register the generating unit. Your generator application will then undergo validation for approval. Once approved, you will then be able to report your generation data into GATS.

GATS Functionality

A1. How do I become a GATS user?
To become a GATS user, you will need to register for a GATS account by following these steps: Instructions for Creating A New Account. Once you submit your application for approval, a page will open with the GATS Terms of Use for you to accept. After accepting the GATS Terms of Use, an email will be sent requesting that you activate your GATS account by logging in with the credentials you created. Your application will then be sent to the GATS Administrator for approval. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for approval.

A2. I forgot my password, how do I reset it?
To reset your GATS password, click on GATS Sign In on the top left of our website, then click on ‘Forgot Your Password?’. Enter your login name and hit ‘Save’. An email will be sent to allow you to create a new password.

If you are still experiencing difficulties logging in, please contact the GATS Admin hotline at (877) 750-GATS (4287).

A3. How do I add someone to my GATS account?
Only the Account Administrator (Main Contact) can add additional users to the account.
Log into your GATS account. Click on Accounts at the top of page. Select Login Management from the drop-down menu. Click the New button to add a new user. Submit the form. An email will be sent to the new user to create their password.

Generation Entry

A1. When can I report my generation data?
For Behind the Meter (BTM) generators, you may enter your solar production data for the previous month starting the first day of the new month. Readings must be taken between the 1st and 15th of the month. If a meter is read after the 15th, you must wait until the following month to report that data. In this case, you will need to take an updated reading prior to the 15th of that next month.
PJM generators will have their data loaded automatically into GATS by the 10th business day of the month.

A2. How is my generation reported into GATS?
Generation data for PJM generators is uploaded into GATS via the PJM Market Settlement System on an end-of-month basis.

Generation data for non-PJM generators can either be manually reported into GATS by the Account Holder for the registered generating unit or submitted electronically by a Third-Party Reporter.
Full instructions on how to report generation are provided within your GATS account.

A3. Which method of loading my generation data is preferred?
If your facility is smaller than 10 kilowatts, ultimately, the method in how to load generation data is a personal preference.

A4. How do I read my meter?
Meters vary by installation. Please refer meter related questions to your installation company.

A5. My solar meter is faulty and must be replaced. What should I do?
If your meter is replaced, a meter update will be required. Please ensure you have entered any final readings prior to submitting a meter update. Instructions on how to submit a meter update can be found within your GATS account under Training.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the GATS hotline at 877-750-GATS (4287) for assistance.

A6. Can I change the generation entry type to Production Estimates if I have already reported and processed generation?
Per the GATS Operating Rules, systems are not eligible to switch to production estimates if they begin on meter readings or actual input.

A7. I uploaded incorrect meter readings. What should I do?
Please contact the GATS hotline at 877-750-GATS (4287). An administrator will be able to assist you.

A8. I missed the generation entry deadline. Can I report generation data for multiple months at once?
If you miss the generation deadline, wait until the beginning of the following month and report your total production under the most recent period. They system will extrapolate the data appropriately across the missing months.

A9. Can I upload generation for several generators?
Yes. To upload your data, log into your GATS account. Click on Assets at the top of the page. Select Generation from the dropdown menu. Click on Upload kWh Generation. You can enter the data manually via text or upload a CSV file.

A10. I am trying to enter data for a previous month and the system is stating that “certificates already exist for this period.” What am I doing wrong?
You are unable to enter in data for prior months when future months have already been processed.

Please contact the GATS Administrator (1-877-750-GATS) for assistance.

A11. I am entering my meter reading data for the first time. What do I place as my previous month’s generation?
The previous meter reading field will depend on when you are eligible to start generating your RECS. Some states will allow you to get credit back to the online date of the system which means that the previous meter reading is most likely going to be “0.” If you are eligible from a particular date and your system has been online, you will need to enter in a value based on your start date in that state.

If you need assistance in determining your previous meter reading based on the state rules please contact the GATS Administrator (1-877-750-GATS) for assistance.

Certificate Creation

A1. When are certificates created in GATS?
Certificates are created 6 days after the previous month’s generation has been reported and validated.

A2. Where are my SRECs?
For behind the meter systems the (S)RECs are placed into the Clean Energy Portfolio Standard (CEPS) subaccount of your GATS account after certificate creation. Your system would be considered behind-the-meter if your unit ID begins with “NON.” For PJM generators the (S)RECs are placed into the Active subaccount of your GATS account after certificate creation. Your system would be considered a PJM generator if you settle in the PJM Market and your unit ID begins with “MSET.”

Transfer Functionality

A1. I transferred my SRECs to the wrong account. What can I do?
If the counterparty has not confirmed the transfer, you can withdraw it from the Outbox section of your account. If the counterparty has already confirmed the transfer, you will need to contact them to have the RECs transferred back to your account.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the GATS hotline at 877-750-GATS (4287) for assistance.

General RPS Questions

A1. What is the reporting period for my state?
Reporting periods vary by the facility certification locale. A reporting period is used to determine the period in which credits are eligible. Please refer to the following list of specific state energy year periods.

Delaware reporting period: June 1 - May 31
District of Columbia reporting period: January 1 - December 31
Illinois reporting period: June 1 - May 31
Maryland reporting period: January 1 - December 31
New Jersey reporting period: June 1 - May 31
Pennsylvania reporting period: June 1 - May 31
Ohio reporting period: January 1 - December 31
Virginia reporting period: January 1 - December 31

A2. How long can I hold onto my (S)RECs?
The banking period varies by state; therefore, it depends on the states in which your generator is certified. Please check program information and the state in which it is certified for specific information.