How Axia by Qcells Pays You to Go Solar — and Why It’s a Big Deal for Homeowners

When most people think about going solar, they picture lower electric bills and maybe a federal tax credit. What almost nobody realizes is that, in some cases, solar can actually pay you real money every single year — and not through some rebate or limited-time offer, but through legitimate, ongoing incentive programs that reward you for producing clean energy.

That’s exactly what happens when you go solar through Axia by Qcells, one of Renewable Innovations’ trusted partners. They’ve created a system that automatically enrolls homeowners into two powerful programs — Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) — and the result is roughly $500 a year in extra income for simply owning your solar and battery system.

And here’s the kicker — Qcells handles all of the paperwork for you.

The Hidden Value of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

A Renewable Energy Credit, or REC, represents the environmental value of every megawatt-hour (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of clean electricity your system produces. Utilities and corporations purchase these credits to meet state renewable energy requirements or offset their own carbon footprints.

The REC market was created through state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) — policies designed to ensure a certain percentage of the power grid comes from renewable sources. In California, that goal is 100% clean energy by 2045. Every kilowatt-hour of solar production gets tracked, verified, and certified, and those certificates have actual monetary value.

The problem is, most homeowners never see a dime of that value because registering, verifying, and claiming RECs is a time-consuming process. That’s where Axia by Qcells changes everything — they register your system, report your production, and send you the payout automatically.

The payout typically averages around $30 per kilowatt of solar per year, so a 7 kWdc system earns you about $210 annually — free and clear — simply for generating clean energy.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) — The Future of the Grid

The second program Qcells enrolls you in is called a Virtual Power Plant. It’s an advanced grid-support network that connects thousands of home batteries, like Tesla Powerwalls, into one large, digital power plant.

During periods of high energy demand or grid instability, these batteries can share a small portion of their stored energy back to the grid, helping stabilize voltage and prevent blackouts — all automatically through software.

In return, homeowners get paid.

Most VPP programs pay around $10 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity that participates. So, if you have two Tesla Powerwalls, you’re looking at another $300 per year, bringing your total to around $500 annually in combined incentives.

Over a decade, that’s about $5,000 in additional earnings, and if you keep your system long-term, it could easily exceed $10,000.

Why Ownership Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the part most people never hear: if you sign a solar lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), you give up all rights to these incentives. The company that owns the system gets the RECs, the VPP payments, and even the federal tax credit. You just get cheaper electricity.

That’s why ownership is such a big deal. When you own your system outright, you own the energy, the credits, and every financial benefit that comes with them.

Axia by Qcells is one of the few companies that actually takes care of the complex backend — registering your system, maintaining compliance, and sending you your payments each year. It’s one of the simplest, most transparent ways to make renewable energy work for you.

Why Timing Matters

These programs are active today, but like any incentive tied to legislation and policy, they’re not guaranteed to last forever. REC and VPP payouts are based on current market values and grid participation needs, which can fluctuate over time.

As the solar market grows and utilities hit their renewable energy targets, the value of individual credits may decline, or the programs could sunset entirely. Add in the gradual phase-out of the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and homeowners are in a very unique window of opportunity.

Right now, clean energy incentives are stronger than ever, and companies like Qcells are handling all the paperwork for you — something that may not be available in the future.

The Bottom Line

Going solar is no longer just about saving money on your electric bill. It’s about generating income, participating in the modern grid, and supporting a cleaner future.

Through Renewable Innovations’ partnership with Axia by Qcells, homeowners can take advantage of these programs today with no extra effort. It’s a seamless process: Qcells designs and installs your system, registers your incentives, and manages your participation so you can sit back and enjoy the rewards.

So if you’re serious about going solar and want to get paid for the energy you produce, now is the time. These programs won’t last forever, and every year that passes is money left on the table.

Learn more or request a consultation at www.reinnovations.org. Clean energy isn’t just about independence anymore — it’s about opportunity.