The Comprehensive Guide to the I-REC Registry

What Is the I-REC Registry?

At the center of the I-REC system is the I-REC Registry. It is a centralized digital platform that records the full lifecycle of every certificate. It serves as the official system of record for the issuance, transfer, and redemption of I-RECs, providing a single source of truth for ownership and status across markets. Every action from the initial issuance, to a transfer between parties, and final redemption, is logged with time stamps and participant IDs. This creates a secure, auditable chain of custody that helps prevent fraud, double counting, or unauthorized claims. The registry is operated by Evident, an accredited I-REC Code Manager under the I-REC Standard Foundation (I-TRACK).

How I-REC Registry Operates

Each I-REC issued through the registry is assigned a unique identification number, along with key attributes such as the generation source, production device, country of origin, and date of generation. All accredited Issuers are directly connected to the registry. When an Issuer approves an issuance, they enter the relevant data, and the registry then generates the certificate. The same system handles transfers between accounts, automatically debiting and crediting ownership.

User Roles and I-REC Registry Structure

Several types of users interact within the I-REC Registry, each with specific roles and permissions that support the system's end-to-end traceability.

Issuers

I-REC Issuers hold special administrative access within the registry. Their responsibilities include registering new renewable energy production devices, reviewing Registrant applications, and issuing I-RECs for verified generation data. Issuers are essentially responsible for the “supply side” of the registry, adding new certificates based on validated energy output.

Registrants (Device Owners or Representatives)

A Registrant is typically a renewable energy generator or an entity acting on the generator's behalf. Registrants are the only users permitted to request certificate issuance for a registered production device. Their role is asset-specific: they maintain project information, submit generation data, and initiate certificate issuance requests once electricity has been produced. It's important to note that being a Registrant does not automatically allow a user to trade or redeem I-RECs. For that, the entity must also be a Participant with an active registry account. While registration as a Registrant is generally free, registering a production device incurs a standard fee.

Participants (Account Holders)

Participants are organizations that hold active accounts on the I-REC Registry to transact or redeem certificates. These can include corporate energy buyers, brokers, utilities, or any entity managing I-REC ownership. To become a Participant, an organization applies through the registry operator, providing know-your-customer (KYC) documentation and paying any applicable fees. All I-RECs must be issued into a valid Participant account. This means that when requesting issuance, the Registrant must specify which Participant account should receive the certificates. In many cases, the Registrant and Participant are the same. For example, a power producer receiving and selling certificates directly. In other cases, the Registrant may choose to have the I-RECs issued directly into the account of a buyer or broker. This setup allows the Registrant to hand off certificate management to another party.

End Consumers

The final users of I-RECs are often corporate end-consumers who use the certificates to verify renewable energy consumption or support emissions reduction targets. Some choose to become direct Participants in the registry, giving them full control over certificate ownership and redemption. Others prefer to work through intermediaries—such as brokers, utilities, or service providers—who manage the process for them. In both cases, the I-REC system allows the end-consumer to be clearly named on the redemption statement, even if someone else handled the transaction. This flexibility makes it easier for smaller buyers to get started, while giving larger companies the option to manage their own account for full visibility and control.

Account Structure

Each Participant account in the I-REC Registry includes different areas for managing certificates. All newly received I-RECs are stored in a main account, and users can create sub-accounts to organize certificates by project, client, or reporting needs. When it's time to redeem I-RECs, they're moved into a dedicated redemption account. Once redeemed, the certificates are locked and can no longer be traded. The system then generates a redemption statement with all the necessary details for reporting and verification.

Security and Transparency

The I-REC Registry is built to be secure and trustworthy. The platform uses modern authentication and authorization controls to make sure only verified users and accredited Issuers can access or update certificate records. All data transfers are encrypted, and multi-factor authentication is commonly used. Beyond cybersecurity, the registry is designed to prevent manipulation. Every I-REC is tracked from the moment it's issued to its final redemption, so there's a full history of where it came from and who owned it. This means fake certificates can't be created or changed without being detected. To keep everything accurate, the I-REC Standard Foundation and the registry operator Evident regularly audit the data. They check it against real-world generation reports and look for errors. In addition, aggregate data, such as total issuance and redemption volumes by country or globally, is published regularly, so the market stays transparent and easy to monitor.

Data Management and Access

Participants using the I-REC Registry can access detailed information about the certificates in their accounts. For each I-REC, users can typically view details such as the project name, type of renewable source, installed capacity, production period, and the accredited Issuer. The registry also allows users to download or export certificate data for internal tracking and reporting. For those looking to streamline operations, API integration is available. Our platform is directly integrated with Evident's I-REC Registry. This means users can manage key certificate operations through our interface without switching systems, saving time and reducing the risk of manual errors.

Why It Matters

For companies navigating energy procurement, the registry offers both structure and flexibility. From clear account roles to automation via API, it allows users to manage I-RECs efficiently through direct control or trusted intermediaries. Understanding how the registry works is key to using I-RECs effectively. The I-REC Registry is what makes renewable energy claims traceable and credible. It tracks each certificate from issuance to redemption, ensuring transparency and preventing double counting. As the market continues to grow, the registry will remain central to verifiable renewable energy sourcing around the world.