We are proposing to provide rooftop PV panels sized to meet 5% of total load. Our building is approximately 60% laboratory and 40% office. Can we assume that the lab electrical loads are "process" and do not need to be included in total energy load? This ruling will significantly effect the size of our array and whether or not we will pursue the credit at all.
Specialized loads found in laboratory spaces are a form of commercial energy use, or process energy. For the purposes of LEED, the energy required to operate special ventilation equipment such as fume hoods and HEPA filters, as well as load associated with 100% outside air, should be considered "non-regulated" energy components. This energy use is excluded from the numerator and denominator of Equation 1 as described in the June 2001 version of the LEED Reference Guide (p.128). Applicable Internationally.