I have a school building that is doing LEED Schools 2009. It wants to incorporate solar-PV into the design, but also wants to take advantage of a recently released state incentive. This incentive is only available once the panels are installed and the building is occupied. In addition, it is a set amount of funding that is available only until it is all used. Since this project may not be occupied until Spring 2012, it cannot expect that the funds will still be available.
They could get the incentive if they placed panels on another already-existing building nearby on the same campus. In this case, they would choose the number of panels such that it produced 1% of the new building's energy, per LEED requirements. However, I'm not sure if this qualifies as "on-site" renewable energy. I've looked at the "LEED-NC Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects", but it is vague at best.
Can you assist?
Shillpa Singh
Senior Sustainability ManagerYR&G
131 thumbs up
April 2, 2010 - 5:17 pm
Hello Brittany
Unfortunately, from what it seems, it is a little unlikely that the project can achieve EAc2.
The campus approach is applicable only if the existing building on which PV may be installed, is pursuing LEED certification by itself or through campus approach. If not, then the PV installed on the existing roof cannot be counted as on-site renewable energy for the new building pursuing LEED EAc2.
You may be able to try to get some guidance if you want to submit a CIR.
Hope this was helpful and the project can find a way to get the credit and the incentive.