NC-v5 EAc4: Renewable Energy 1-5 points
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To encourage and recognize the use of renewable energy to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use and increase the supply of new renewable energy within the electrical grid, thereby fostering a just transition to a green economy.
Requirements
Platinum Requirements:
100% of site energy use from any combination of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 renewable energy.
Option 1. Renewable Energy Supply or Procurement (1–5 points)
Supply or procure renewable energy meeting the renewable energy criteria referenced below. Points are rewarded according to Table 1.
Points documented for Tier 1, Tier 2, and/or Tier 3 renewable energy may be added together for a maximum of 5 points:
Table 1. Points for Renewable Energy Procurement for New Construction Projects
Points | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | ||
Minimum Rated Capacity* | OR | Percent of Annual Site Energy | Percent of Annual Site Energy | Percent of Annual Site Energy | |
1 | A × 1 W/sq. ft. (A × 10.8 W/sq. m.) | OR | 5% | 20% | 50% |
2 | A × 2 W/sq. ft. (A × 21.6 W/sq. m.) | OR | 10% | 40% | 100% |
3 |
|
| 20% | 60% |
|
4 |
|
| 35% | 80% |
|
5 |
|
| 100% Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 renewable energy |
| |
*A = sum of gross floor area of all floors up to the three largest floors.
Renewable Energy Criteria
Renewable energy classifications
TIER 1: ON-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION OR SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECT
The renewable generation equipment may be located:
- On the project site.
- On the campus on which a project is located.
- On the site of a social impact project, provided that the renewable power system is provided, installed, and commissioned at no cost to the social impact entity, that the ownership of the renewable power system is transferred to the social impact entity, and that the rights to the power provided be given to the social impact entity.
TIER 2: NEW OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
Off-site renewable electricity produced by new generation asset(s):
- Contracted to be operational within two years of building occupancy, OR
- Contracted no more than five years after commercial operations date
TIER 3: OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY
- Off-site renewable electricity that is Green-e® Energy certified or equivalent.
- Renewable fuels that are Green-e Renewable Energy certified or equivalent.
Renewable energy contract length
- Contract length shall be 10 years or prorated across 10 years for shorter contract lengths.
Renewable energy environmental attributes
- Ownership: All environmental attributes—energy attribute certificates (EACs) or renewable energy certificates (RECs)—associated with renewable energy generation must be retired on behalf of the LEED project for the renewable energy procurement to contribute to credit achievement.
- Project energy source: Renewable electricity generation and EAC/REC procurement can only be applied to project electricity use or district energy use up to 100% of annual electricity plus district energy use. Renewable fuels can only be applied to project fuel use or district heat up to 100% of annual fuel plus district heat use.
- Vintage: EACs credited to the project must be generated no earlier than 18 months before the LEED project’s initial application submission date.
- Location: Tier 2 and Tier 3 renewable assets must be in the same country or region where the LEED project is located.
- Tier 2 bulk purchase: Green-e Energy certification or equivalent is required for one-time purchase or annual purchase of EACs or renewable power totaling more than 100% of the annual electricity use for New Construction, or 100% of base building annual electricity use for Core and Shell.
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Cost estimates for this credit
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To encourage and recognize the use of renewable energy to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use and increase the supply of new renewable energy within the electrical grid, thereby fostering a just transition to a green economy.
Requirements
Platinum Requirements:
100% of site energy use from any combination of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 renewable energy.
Option 1. Renewable Energy Supply or Procurement (1–5 points)
Supply or procure renewable energy meeting the renewable energy criteria referenced below. Points are rewarded according to Table 1.
Points documented for Tier 1, Tier 2, and/or Tier 3 renewable energy may be added together for a maximum of 5 points:
Table 1. Points for Renewable Energy Procurement for New Construction Projects
Points | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 | ||
Minimum Rated Capacity* | OR | Percent of Annual Site Energy | Percent of Annual Site Energy | Percent of Annual Site Energy | |
1 | A × 1 W/sq. ft. (A × 10.8 W/sq. m.) | OR | 5% | 20% | 50% |
2 | A × 2 W/sq. ft. (A × 21.6 W/sq. m.) | OR | 10% | 40% | 100% |
3 |
|
| 20% | 60% |
|
4 |
|
| 35% | 80% |
|
5 |
|
| 100% Tier 1 and/or Tier 2 renewable energy |
| |
*A = sum of gross floor area of all floors up to the three largest floors.
Renewable Energy Criteria
Renewable energy classifications
TIER 1: ON-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION OR SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECT
The renewable generation equipment may be located:
- On the project site.
- On the campus on which a project is located.
- On the site of a social impact project, provided that the renewable power system is provided, installed, and commissioned at no cost to the social impact entity, that the ownership of the renewable power system is transferred to the social impact entity, and that the rights to the power provided be given to the social impact entity.
TIER 2: NEW OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY
Off-site renewable electricity produced by new generation asset(s):
- Contracted to be operational within two years of building occupancy, OR
- Contracted no more than five years after commercial operations date
TIER 3: OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY
- Off-site renewable electricity that is Green-e® Energy certified or equivalent.
- Renewable fuels that are Green-e Renewable Energy certified or equivalent.
Renewable energy contract length
- Contract length shall be 10 years or prorated across 10 years for shorter contract lengths.
Renewable energy environmental attributes
- Ownership: All environmental attributes—energy attribute certificates (EACs) or renewable energy certificates (RECs)—associated with renewable energy generation must be retired on behalf of the LEED project for the renewable energy procurement to contribute to credit achievement.
- Project energy source: Renewable electricity generation and EAC/REC procurement can only be applied to project electricity use or district energy use up to 100% of annual electricity plus district energy use. Renewable fuels can only be applied to project fuel use or district heat up to 100% of annual fuel plus district heat use.
- Vintage: EACs credited to the project must be generated no earlier than 18 months before the LEED project’s initial application submission date.
- Location: Tier 2 and Tier 3 renewable assets must be in the same country or region where the LEED project is located.
- Tier 2 bulk purchase: Green-e Energy certification or equivalent is required for one-time purchase or annual purchase of EACs or renewable power totaling more than 100% of the annual electricity use for New Construction, or 100% of base building annual electricity use for Core and Shell.