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FAQs about EAc2 :

We have a PV array installed on our campus, under the same ownership, but not on the building or within the LEED project boundary. Can we count that toward EAc2?

Because of how our onsite PV system was financed through the utility, the project is selling the RECs associated with its solar energy production, even though we own the PV array and its power. Is there any way we can earn EAc2?

Can I pursue this credit if I am using one of the prescriptive compliance paths for EAp2/EAc1?

Can I really double-count onsite renewable energy in both EAc2 and EAc1?

Our PV system is being installed after the building is occupied. Is that okay?

Our project will have a PV system onsite, but it will be installed, operated, and owned by a separate entity that is paying for the system through a premium price per kWh paid by the utility, per state regulations. Is there any way to count this toward th

A biofuel-based cogenerator is being used to produce both electricity and heat (CHP). Can I consider all the energy produced, or just the electricity?

Can a backup generator qualify, if it runs on biofuels?

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NC-2009 EAc2:On-Site Renewable Energy

PVmodules for generate of onsite renewable energy and REC

For a NC manufacturing project we have been aproached by a company who would mount pv-modules on the building roof and sell them to building owner at no cost premium. My question is if these modules would achieve the credit intent despite RECs deriving from the module output being sold to someone else. I could not find any specification on this, but remember having read about this issues when preparing for the LEED BD C exam. Thank you very much for your feedback. best regards Robert

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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow
7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
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Fri, 11/18/2011 - 14:01

I do not necessarily agree with this but if you sell the RECs you cannot count the system output for EAc2 or EAc1. You can replace the RECs with other RECs and then count the output of your on-site system for EAc2 and EAc1. See page 293 in the Reference Guide. If you have an older version it may say that a 2 to 1 replacement is necessary but that was changed to a 1 to 1 replacement. In my opinion renewable projects that sell their RECs should still be able to count the output for EAc2. While technically you have sold the environmental attributes, you still managed to get a renewable energy system on your facility. If selling the RECs enabled the financial transaction that allowed you to do that then LEED should not be discouraging this type of arrangement. So I think that if you have renewable energy flowing through your building you should be able to count it for LEED.

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 14:23

I have a project with a similar situation where a 2nd party will own the PVs and install on the owner's site. The 2nd party will sell the electricty back to the owner at a reduced cost. While our project may not consume all power, it is part of a larger facility that will consume 100% of the solar power produced 100% of the time. We don't have a situation where we would be selling RECs. Would this count in EAc2?

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 14:29

Susan, are you sure the 2nd party isn't retaining the RECs? That is usually why the 2nd party is willing to keep ownership and responsibility (for a period of time) of the PVs - they are gaining the RECs generated by the PVs. If that is the case, then the project owner has to balance that by buying RECs from some other source.
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow
7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
4454 thumbs up

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 14:41

Susan, If the electricity flows into your facility on your side of the electric meter and the RECs have not been sold then it can count for EAc2. If the power flows into the grid side of the meter then probably not.

Fri, 11/18/2011 - 15:09

Renee - At this time, I am not sure but it is a good question. Marcus - Your answer seems to clarify/refine Renee's answer. Thanks!

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 03:20

Dear All thanks for your feedback. Susan: our project is the same. The 2nd party sells the power to the user at reduced cost. Further he will not retain the RECs. The project is within a subsidary sheme for PV in China. Marcus: thanks for the reference to the Reference Guide. I guess all thats left is to make sure the requirements are specified in the contract and to make sure the contract covers the entire lilfespan of the PV modules. Best regards

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