Green Electricity Tariffs and Certification Seals

Short: Green electricity tariffs promise power from renewable sources but differ greatly in their actual environmental impact. Independent certification seals help distinguish credible offers from pure marketing.

In more detail: Through the certificate-of-origin system, in theory any provider can sell “green” electricity, even if the physical electricity delivered comes from a mix of different sources.

In detail

• Certificates of origin: These certificates confirm that a corresponding amount of green electricity was generated somewhere in Europe, regardless of the actual electricity mix delivered to the customer.
• Strict certification seals: Seals like “ok-power” or “Grüner Strom” additionally require that part of the revenue flows into expanding new green power plants.
• Pure marketing tariffs: Some providers merely buy cheap certificates of origin without investing in new generation facilities themselves.
• Regional generation: Some tariffs offer electricity from a defined regional origin, shortening transport distances and associated losses.
• Price comparison pays off: Genuine green electricity tariffs that fund new plants aren’t automatically more expensive than conventional tariffs; comparing is worthwhile.
• Self-generation as a supplement: Having your own solar system significantly reduces dependence on the chosen electricity tariff.
• Critical look at advertising: Terms like “climate-neutral” or “100% green” should always be checked against the underlying certificates and seals (balkonkraftwerk, smart-meter-und-dynamischer-stromtarif, greenwashing-erkennen).