Our project will support a PV array capable of supplying 15% of the building's electrical needs. There will be a small battery bank to provide power for some DC loads such as chargers and a few lights. The bulk of the power will be fed to the grid, net metered. In this state, there is a feed-in tariff imposed by the state: all renewable power must be purchased by the utility at $.06 over the retail rate for power.
I've read conflicting statements, and am unsure; does this meet the requirements for the credit under EAc2?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 29, 2013 - 8:48 am
Who owns the array? If you facility is basically a rack for a solar system feeding into the grid side of your meter then it is my understanding that you cannot claim the renewable energy under LEED.
Michael Beattie
LEED AdministratorMichael Beattie, Architect
7 thumbs up
January 29, 2013 - 9:52 am
The building owner is also the array owner. The building is a public educational demonstration project, containing some offices, developed and owned by the electric utility company. So the array, the building and the grid all all owned by the same entity.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 29, 2013 - 10:05 am
So if it is all owned by the same entity and is a demonstration project for customers why feed the PV into the utility grid side of the meter (assuming there is one)? If the PV feeds the building circuits then it will count, no questions. If not then you will have to provide a justification and explanation for why it should count given your circumstances.
Michael Beattie
LEED AdministratorMichael Beattie, Architect
7 thumbs up
January 29, 2013 - 2:06 pm
Thanks, Marcus. Turns out it won't be net metered, just feed the building. Any excess supplies the grid.