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Lower cost strategies come first
Capturing useful energy from natural energy flows like sunshine, wind, moving water is a great concept. The technologies to capture this energy aren’t cheap, however, nor do they work equally well in all locations. Typically, it’s hard to generate a significant fraction of total electricity we use onsite.
Before investing a lot of time and energy into this credit, focus on energy efficiency and passive energy collection such as daylighting, natural ventilation, passive solar heating before investing in renewable energy systems. This work will probably pay off faster than renewable energy, and if you do invest in renewable energy, you’ll have a lighter load for it to carry.
What types of systems count
All electricity generated and used on site is counted towards...
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17 Comments
Buying & selling RECs
If the RECs are sold (solar RECs) is there a requirement that the RECs HAVE to be solar, or can they be any kind of RECs (wind)? I am asking, because there seems to be a large difference in price for wind RECS vs solar RECs. Anybody out there attempt this credit in this manner?
Renee, there was an August addendum that changed some of the requirements for RECA Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is a certificate representing proof that a given unit of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source such as solar or wind. These certificates are able to be sold, traded, or bartered as environmental commodities, where an electricity consumer can buy the renewable energy attributes of electricty to support renewable energy, even if they are consuming generic grid-supplied electricity that may be supplied by nonrenewable sources. purchases in this situation, and it actually made them less stringent. I am not sure that it addressed this specific issue, however. As far as I know there is not a specific requirement around this. I think there used to be a requirement relative to geographical origin.
The RECs just need to be qualifying RECs not from the same energy source.
Can we involve PPA's?
Is there any way to involve a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) or similar funding mechanism for EAc2? The language in the guide is not specific, as they mention a "energy system owner". If so, how?
I would like an answer on this as well, because I am trying to understand how this would work within the requirements of LEED. If I understand correctly, the PPA would own the equipment, and then sell the school the energy, for the length of the contract. After the contract, the school can buy the equipment. If the PPA can't sell the generated RECs without buying the same amount back, (or this negates the ability to go for this credit) what is the incentive for a PPA to do this?
@ Kerrie: I am researching this option for one of my projects now as well and I came across the 11/1/11 addenda for EAc2 which states (the portion after the "OR"): “To qualify as an eligible on-site system, the fuel source must meet one of the following conditions: the fuel source must be wholly contained/produced on-site; the project team must demonstrate full ownership of the fuel source, including ownership of all its environmental attributes; OR, if the fuel source is not owned, and in cases where use of a substitute, non-renewable fuel is possible, projects must enter into a 2-year contract for purchase of the renewable fuel source, with an ongoing commitment to renew for a period of 10 years total.” I'm not sure if this helps you with the project you were initially referencing but I hope this helps you in future projects that are considering a PPA.
Annual building energy determination
Does this credit require the sum of ALL energy uses (electricity, gas, etc.) for the proposed building be the basis for determining the renewable energy percentage or is it just the electricity use component? Thanks.
Jeff, it's total annual energy cost that you are offsetting, so yes, it would include all of those uses.
How to keep birds away from PV panels
How to keep birds away from PV panels on the roof - any suggestions?
Do proper conditions exist to integrate a few miniature wind turbines around the array or between panels?
I've never heard of this as an issue before. You could try using those spikes that line ledges to keep birds off. I'd keep the spikes at the perimeter of the solar panels. Anything you put over the panels will block more light then the birds would block.
PV & SRECS
If a project installs a PV system but sells a SREC for that system can it still qualify for EA c2?
Yes, but there is a special clause that you need to buy additonal RECs. This is outlined in the LEED Reference Guide, if you have a copy. If not, we can probably paste it in here, or I think you can find it being discussed in the NC 2009 forum for this credit.
Feed in tarriffs and EAc2
In LEED energy savings seem to be calculated not only as an energy unit amount, but also and more specifically in EAc1 and 2 in monetary amounts. As solar PV panels would contribute to savings in kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu. the calculation for EAc2 would provide one number using this as the basis, but in the EU most countries have feed-in-tarriffs, which reimburse the owner for energy produced at a higher rate than the cost of energy. This would therefore provide a more favorable calculation for EAc2 when "using the building's annual energy cost". Does anyone know if feed-in-tarriffs can be used in the calculation?
Use the energy cost of electricity bought from a utility on site, not the feed-in tariff rate for EAc1 and EAc2 calculations
Does PV on another campus roof count?
I have a school building that is doing LEED Schools 2009. It wants to incorporate solar-PV into the design, but also wants to take advantage of a recently released state incentive. This incentive is only available once the panels are installed and the building is occupied. In addition, it is a set amount of funding that is available only until it is all used. Since this project may not be occupied until Spring 2012, it cannot expect that the funds will still be available.
They could get the incentive if they placed panels on another already-existing building nearby on the same campus. In this case, they would choose the number of panels such that it produced 1% of the new building's energy, per LEED requirements. However, I'm not sure if this qualifies as "on-site" renewable energy. I've looked at the "LEED-NC Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects", but it is vague at best.
Can you assist?
Hello Brittany
Unfortunately, from what it seems, it is a little unlikely that the project can achieve EAc2.
The campus approach is applicable only if the existing building on which PV may be installed, is pursuing LEED certification by itself or through campus approach. If not, then the PV installed on the existing roof cannot be counted as on-site renewable energy for the new building pursuing LEED EAc2.
You may be able to try to get some guidance if you want to submit a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide.
Hope this was helpful and the project can find a way to get the credit and the incentive.
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