Hello! We have a Student Commons building going for certification on a campus. There is also a solar installation already on the campus and if there is a way to supplement the electricity for this Commons building with solar, can we still be eligible for this credit even though it isn't "on-site" and located in our LEED project boundary? The same university (owner) owns all buildings on the campus and solar installation. Thanks much!

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Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 15:18

Yes you can. Provide a letter from the university allocating some or all of the solar to this project. They just cannot double count it for another project on the same campus.

Courtney Royal

Sr. Sustainability Consultant

Taitem Engineering

LEEDuser Basic Member

36 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 17:06

Great! Thanks for the fast reply, Marcus. Just to clarify, they wouldn't be able to garner points on this particular Commons building if it was counted on any previous LEED certified buildings (i am not sure if the campus has any other LEED projects, I need to confirm) and/or this means that any future LEED projects on the campus won't be able to count it either? Thank you!

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 17:18

Yep it is a matter of allocation to individual projects.

Courtney Royal

Sr. Sustainability Consultant

Taitem Engineering

LEEDuser Basic Member

36 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 18:55

Again, thanks. LAST question, the university would have to own and operate the system, correct? But is there anyway for solar PV to count if the system is being installed through a power purchase agreement? I highly doubt it, but the third party can utilize advantages that the university can't because they are tax exempt. Its really the only way solar makes economic sense being that tax credits don't apply to them. Please advise. Thanks again!

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 19:33

It is really a matter of who owns the power output and the SRECs not who owns and maintains the system. If the University owns the power and the SRECs then it can be allocated.

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