Forum discussion
NC-2009 EAc2: On-Site Renewable Energy
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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Can I pursue this credit if I am using one of the prescriptive compliance paths for EAp2/EAc1?
Can I really double-count onsite renewable energy in both EAc2 and EAc1?
Our PV system is being installed after the building is occupied. Is that okay?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 31, 2013 - 10:18 am
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 ConsultantTaitem Engineering
50 thumbs up
January 31, 2013 - 12:06 pm
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 Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 31, 2013 - 12:18 pm
Yep it is a matter of allocation to individual projects.
Courtney Royal
Sr. Sustainability ConsultantTaitem Engineering
50 thumbs up
January 31, 2013 - 1:55 pm
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 Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 31, 2013 - 2:33 pm
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.