Solar Panels

Yes there are LEED Interpretations that allow you to take credit for renewables installed outside the LEED project boundary, either on a campus or on another property owned by the same owner. You do not have to include that parcel in your boundary.

The original LEED interpretation regarding this is # 10128. I made the original request and Marcus would be the most likely to know if any revisions were made.

Important to note about On-Site Renewables for Campuses—Communities would be more appropriate these days—are the following.

– The Renewables must be commissioned.
– If the M&V is a credit for the project it must be included.
– Different commissioning and M&V agents can document the renewables. Multiple agents can actually be used for any project.

– There is a limit how far away a different site can be—10 miles. That is my fault. I wrote the original request with the goal of getting the request accepted, and did not want to reach too far and get a rejection for the request. The distance to a different site could be greater if a LEED Interpretation allows it.

– Provide a map with scale of the LEED project and renewable locations.

– Make sure a narrative is provided. State the total renewable energy provided and provide supporting calculations. State how much of that energy is allocated to the project. Unclaimed renewable energy can be used for future LEED projects. A revised letter can be provided for future projects if they pursue LEED.

– It isn't necessary for the LEED project owner to own the renewables but they must own the land—at least long-term control of use—and have an agreement with the renewables provided to install and operate the system for a long period—maybe 10 years; I am not sure what the current requirement for this type of renewable ownership is.

I hope the above is helpful. I used the interpretation to for one owner with nine LEED projects and six different renewables locations. All of the project ended up as Zero Net Energy Use as well as Zero Net Energy Cost. Five of those earned LEED Platinum because of the multiple renewable systems installed on the owner's campuses.

Does the PV array that is out of the LEED project boundary, but is within the campus need to be in place when the project is completed and is open?

For LEED 2009 projects it just needs to be under contract to be installed.

Can i ask is this still applicable for LEED v4? I see in the LEED interpretation # 10128 that it only lists up to v2009.

I have 2 projects completing with 6 months of each other on a single campus site and only one is attempting LEED certification so we want to claim the benefit of the PV installation on the other project. 

In your case it sounds like it is a matter of allocation of the solar production. This is allowed within campuses. Might want to look at the Campus guide.