855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 201

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(net metering) when all associated renewable attributes are retained by the project owner. Net metered electricity may count toward the renewable contribution up to 100% of annual electricity and district energy use.

Additional considerations: Non-qualifying systems Renewable fuels harvested, produced, or refined offsite and used to generate thermal energy or electricity on-site are classified as Tier 3 renewable energy, and shall not be counted as Tier 1 renewable energy.

Tier 1 social impact project Project owners may opt to install renewable energy on the site of a social impact project with a capital investment similar to that incurred for installing a new renewable system on their own project site. A social impact project is defined as a building or project site providing housing and/or community services to historically marginalized communities. Examples include, but are not limited to, affordable housing projects, community centers, schools, or recreational facilities serving historically marginalized communities.

For social impact projects, the social impact project owner who owns, operates, and/or occupies the project shall have no financial burden for the renewable equipment, the installation, or the commissioning of the renewable system. The social impact project owner must gain ownership of the system. They will have the right to power generated from the new system. This provides affordable clean power that will result in permanent cost savings to members of historically marginalized communities.

For residential social impact projects, residents responsible for payment of their own electricity bills must receive proportionate cost savings for the renewable power generation. Renewable generation may be allocated first to central water heating and HVAC equipment serving the residential units before proportioning the remainder to the residents.

Additional considerations: Non-qualifying Tier 1 social impact project Most community renewable energy installations do not comply with the social impact project requirements for location of the renewable system and permanent transfer of ownership and rights to the power to the social impact project owner.

Tier 1 commissioning Tier 1 renewable systems must be installed and commissioned per EAp3: Fundamental Commissioning . For projects pursuing EAc4: Enhanced Commissioning, Option 1 . Enhanced Commissioning, Tier 1 renewable systems must also comply with the commissioning criteria for that credit. Functional testing of renewable systems must commence before the final LEED certification application to qualify for credit.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 190