green house and daylighti credit

A green house having specific "daylighting" requirements would be a hard one to exempt. So if the growing process means shutting off the sun at certain times, but the plants still get some sun during the day, then it needs to be included.

Now a green house having specific "lighting" requirements could be exempted as long as a narrative clearly explains why. If the plants being grown are mushrooms,well that;s pretty easy one, or if the plants being grown require the use of specific electric lighting. If daylight is a hindrance to the growing process of the plants then it can be exempted.

I'm not a plant guy, but we did do a building in which plants would be growing inside the atrium and the glass needed specific properties to ensure the proper wavelengths of light were admitted to the space. There are glazings out there that can be produced to provide what is needed.

To me, a production that has specific daylight requirements is the perfect exemption. It's the definition of the exemption.

I'm guessing the reason the production doesn't meet the requirements in the first place is because the production's daylighting requirements go above the LEED maximum? In that case, you might include the space but try to get an exemption for the shading or maximum requirements. I could see where a reviewer would dock you on not including the greenhouse if the production daylighting requirements didn't contradict the LEED requirements. I'm also assuming that they are contradictory otherwise you wouldn't ask because including the space in that case would only help you earn the credit.

Either way, I would document very clearly and precisely the production daylighting requirements and the consequences to the production if they are not followed. I doubt many reviewer are knowledgeable enough on the subject to make the call without this information.

That is my understanding.