We are interested in pursuing an ID credit for our new building's onsite renewable energy, namely our PV system. While we are pursuing the EA credit for renewable energy, we have actually created a "mini-lab" with three different types of solar arrays (including bi-facial and thin film) tied together with a single inverter. We are also showcasing a product that facilitates the unique integration of the three different PV technologies into the same system through the single inverter. The product includes power electronics that operate each PV panel string in parallel, as opposed to in series, such that no single panel, due to shading or individual performance, limits the power output of the entire string. This concept would not normally be designed into a traditional PV system solution, but would provide a viable higher-performing PV power system to offset building electric load. Array performance can also be remotely monitored and alerts sent when system performance significantly changes. Finally, all of the companies providing these technologies were deliberately selected to be local to our area to support local economic development efforts. I don't see precedent for this sort of approach in the ID credit catalog- would this be a viable ID credit?
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
May 19, 2011 - 10:42 pm
Dave, I think there is potential here. But I am not sure it would work, for a couple reasons:– Not clear what the environmental benefit is, beyond what is already covered by EAc2. It sounds from your description like you have simply done a particularly thoughtful job around earning EAc2. Earning an existing credit innoatively is not a path to an innovation credit.– The local angle for mechanical systems isn't supported by LEED.– Not clear what you mean by a "mini-lab"—is there actual testing going on that will create environmental benefit?Guest expert here Marcus Sheffer put it well: with ID credits, think quantifiable, verifiable, replicatable and documentable. I would add "comprehensive."