Can a project split the source of renewable energy used on site between their own on site system and making up the rest through a purchase agreement with a community RES?
Example:
The project owner puts up enough solar PV on site to get to offset 1% of annual utility cost. They they purchase through a 3rd party the equivalent of 5%-10% more annual cost of community solar. Can the project achieve the additional 2-3 points using this approach?
Does the project still need to purchase RECs with this approach for the 3rd party supplied renewable energy?
Jason
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5906 thumbs up
January 18, 2018 - 11:20 am
I don't see why you couldn't combine renewable sources and have them both count. The RECs do need to be retained or replaced.
Gail Hampsmire
Technical Director - Energy/HVAC TeamGreen Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI)
4 thumbs up
February 12, 2018 - 4:47 pm
Note that the rating system language requires that community renewable systems be owned or leased for a minimum of 10 years. The reference guide addenda clarifies that the RECs may only be sold and re-purchased for on-site renewable systems (not off-site systems). Note that power purchase agreements for off-site power can receive credit under EAc: Green Power and Carbon Offsets, but rarely meet the intent of EAc: Renewable Energy Production "to reduce the environmental and economic harms associated with fossil fuel energy by increasing self-supply of renewable energy". If your project would like to document that this intent is met with a Power Purchase agreement, it is recommended that you submit a project inquiry through the GBCI Contact Us page, with further details about the renewable generation project, and a narrative supporting that the intent of EAc: Renewable Energy Production will be met.
Note also that for owned or leased off-site community renewable energy systems, the RECs must be retained to qualify for credit. Replacement of RECs is only an option for on-site renewable energy systems.