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TIER 3. OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY
Tier 3 encompasses both renewable electricity that is Green-e® Energy [47] certified or equivalent, and renewable fuels certified to the Green-e® Renewable Fuels standard or equivalent.
For renewable electricity, the COD of the renewable power generator may be up to 15 years old to meet the Green-e® Energy “Generator Age and New Date” criteria.
Eligible renewable electricity resource types — Tier 2 and Tier 3 Eligible renewable power generation resources for Tier 2 and Tier 3 electricity include:
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Solar electric (PVs)
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Wind
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Geothermal energy (electricity or heat generated from subterranean steam or hot water)
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Ocean-based energy (such as wave or tidal energy conversion)
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Low-impact hydropower
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Biomass production
These renewable electricity generation sources should meet the criteria in Green-e® Framework for Renewable Energy Certification Section III.A Renewable Resource Types, including any applicable location-specific criteria (e.g., Section II. Eligible Sources of Supply from the Green - e® Renewable Energy Standard for Canada and the United States) .
Nearly all solar electric, wind, and geothermal power generation systems that meet the Green-e® “New Date” criteria qualify as Green-e ® renewable resource types.
By contrast, many hydropower, biomass power generation, and ocean-based energy systems do not meet the Green-e® Framework criteria governing those system types. If considering a renewable resource that is not wind or solar and is not Green-e® certified, review applicable criteria to confirm resource eligibility.
For instance, in the U.S., hydropower must meet one of the following criteria per the Green-e® Renewable Energy Standard for Canada and the United States, Section II. Eligible Sources of Supply:
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New generation capacity on a non-impoundment OR
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New generation capacity on an existing impoundment from a hydropower facility certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute or from a hydropower facility consisting of a turbine in a pipeline or in an irrigation canal
47 “Green-e® Energy”, Green-e®, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.green-e.org/programs/energy.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 193