Renewable Energy Guide: How to Buy and Trade Guarantees of Origin
What Are Guarantees of Origin (GOs)?
Guarantees of Origin are Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) that prove electricity came from renewable sources. Each GO represents 1 MWh of renewable energy and is tracked through the European Energy Certificate System (EECS). For companies pursuing RE100 targets or CSRD compliance, GOs provide the primary mechanism for renewable energy procurement and proving consumption in Europe.
Soldera aggregates renewable producers across Europe, managing certificates from thousands of generation units. We run monthly tenders that create competitive markets for unbundled certificates across spot and forward — meaning you can buy renewable attributes separately from physical power, unlike with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Buying 101 - Our Four Operating Principles
- Competitive pricing wins - The highest bidder gets the certificates, no exceptions or special treatment
- Deal certainty - Once we confirm a transaction, it proceeds without changes or cancellations
- Complete privacy - Buyer and seller identities remain confidential throughout the process
- Quick settlement - Certificate delivery happens fast, typically before invoicing
Step By Step Process
Week Before: Indicative Volumes
You'll receive preliminary information showing:
- Total MWh available by vintage year
- Technology breakdown (solar, wind, hydro, biomass)
- Countries of origin (E.g Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden)
- Support status (subsidized vs subsidy-free generation)
- Ecolabel eligibility for corporate sustainability reporting
Example volumes:
- 2024 vintage: E.G 125 MWh
- 2025 vintage: E.G 95,734 MWh
- 2026 vintage: E.G 35,021 MWh
Excel files with detailed breakdowns are provided, separating spot and forward by tabs.
Tender Day: Final Volumes and Bidding
Precise volumes are released with these terms:
Auction format:
- Sealed-bid tender (prices stay confidential)
- Partial volumes welcome
- Firm bids only
- Deadline: 14:00 CET (e.g., Berlin time)
Delivery specifications:
- Spot market: Immediate transfer after signing
- Forward contracts: Quarterly delivery (production quarter + 1 month)
- Standard KYC and credit checks apply
How to Submit Your Bid
What to Include
Your bid should specify:
- Volume - How many MWh you want
- Vintage - Which production year
- Technology - Solar, wind, hydro, biomass, or mix
- Price - EUR per MWh
- Support status - With or without national support schemes
- Validity - How long your offer stands
Sample Bid Email
Updating Your Bid
Markets move fast. You can revise your bid anytime before the deadline — just send a new email marked "Updated Bid" with your latest prices.
Understanding Certificate Types
As explored in our tender article, there are a few key terminologies you need to wrap your head around before placing bids:
Spot Market Certificates
- Immediate availability for current reporting
- Mostly current-year vintage (95-99% typical)
- Recent plants (e.g., X% under 5 years old)
Forward Contracts
- Buying future GOs that do not exist yet
- Quarterly settlement aligned with generation
- Price certainty for future periods
- Supports long-term renewable procurement strategy
- Enables hedging against market volatility
Quality Labels and Additionality
The following ICS scheme quality labels are highlighted in tender sheets for easy identification:
- EKOenergy: X% of volumes pre-approved
- OK-power: X% eligible in spot markets
Technology Mix
Winning Bid Strategies
- React Quickly to Feedback: If we tell you you're not in the top 3, evaluate if you can improve. Markets shift rapidly during tender windows.
- Be Specific and Clear: Detailed bids process faster. Specify exact volumes, vintages, and technologies to avoid delays.
- Consider Partial Volumes: You don't need to bid on everything. Target specific vintages or technologies that match your renewable portfolio standard (RPS) needs.
- Build Trading Relationships: While price determines winners, reliable buyers streamline future transactions. You can also approach us directly outside tenders for bilateral trading.
After Winning a Tender
Contract Process
- Phone confirmation of volumes and prices
- Standard RECS International EECS contract
- Complete KYC requirements
- Receive certificates upon signing
Payment Terms
- Standard: 10 business days from invoice
- We typically deliver before invoicing
- New buyers may need upfront payment
Volume Adjustments
Minor changes sometimes occur due to:
- Registry reconciliation
- Final production data
- Technical corrections
We communicate any adjustments before finalizing contracts.
Trading Outside Tenders
Direct Purchases
Contact trade@soldera.org anytime for:
- Custom volume packages
- Specific technology requirements
- Flexible delivery schedules
- Urgent certificate needs
Staying Informed
- Explore other Articles and the Soldera Markets podcast for market insights
- Monthly tender announcements
- Price trends and analysis
- AIB Data
- Regulatory updates affecting certificate markets
Ready to Participate?
We deliver consistent, transparent markets for renewable energy certificates. Our commitment is straightforward: secure the best value for producers while running fair, competitive auctions for buyers. Market integrity drives everything we do.
We're transforming GO trading through reliable processes, clear rules, and consistent execution — creating trusted corporate energy marketplaces for the renewable transition.
Join our tender list below or email trade@soldera.org to get started.
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