Existing 1MW PV Array feeding new LEED Project on Campus

August 22, 2013

Greg Kight

National Director of Sustainable Design
Jacobs

LEEDuser Premium Member

34 thumbs up

August 22, 2013

My project is a LEED v2.2 NC 32,000 sf project going for an 'individual' certification on a campus of existing buildings (None others are certfied or pursuing certification). We are told that the new LEED Project will feed into the 1 MW array in addition to a number of existing buildings. How can the team claim credit for an existing client owned/maintained solar array (outside of the LEED Boundary)? The client has stated that they can provide a letter, however the percentage of contribution to the LEED Project will vary depending on demand of the campus. If there are any related CIRs, It would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Greg

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Hernando Miranda

Owner
Soltierra LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

344 thumbs up

August 22, 2013 - 11:01 pm

I wrote a credit interpretation request for this situation a few years ago.

LEED INTERPRETATION LI# 10128: MULTIPLE CAMPUS SPECIAL ALLOWANCE: This LI allows the owner to install renewable energy systems at any of their properties, create an overall renewables energy budget, and allocate parts of the budget to specific LEED projects.

There are some restrictions when making the claim: ensuring no double counting, 10 mile square proximity of projects,...

Hernando Miranda

Owner
Soltierra LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

344 thumbs up

August 22, 2013 - 11:05 pm

Actually, my request involved disconnected properties. PV could be co-located at one property with no LEED buildings, while a property with LEED building and no PV could claim the remote PV.

Your case is much easier to document, basically ensure you don't double count by preparing a master PV budget and allocating to specific projects.

You can still refer to LI #10128. You'll see that the LEED project ID numbers need to be identified to allow the LEED reviewers to make ensure PV is not double counted.

Greg Kight

National Director of Sustainable Design
Jacobs

LEEDuser Premium Member

34 thumbs up

August 23, 2013 - 11:42 am

Hi Hernando,

Thank you for the reply and reference to LI #10128. I don't know if this changes things but the Solar Array actually owned by a third party provider (Sun Edison). This may mean that the credit would shift to the Green Power RECs perhaps?

Thank you,
Greg

Hernando Miranda

Owner
Soltierra LLC

LEEDuser Basic Member

344 thumbs up

August 23, 2013 - 11:55 am

Greg,

A PPA (Purchase Power Agreement) is acceptable. A PPA is a long-term agreementby the owner of a project to purchase the power generated--20 years in case of owner I wrote the LI request for. For LEED, you also need to document the power claimed is not sold as a REC to any other entity. The important thing to note for LEED are, count only once, claim only once, don't resell.