855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 350

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The commissioning provider for an equity or campus renewable project may be different than the project’s commissioning provider. Documentation of previous commissioning of equity or campus renewable projects is acceptable, provided it complies with the EAp3: Fundamental Commissioning and EAc5: Enhanced Commissioning requirements. For existing campus or equity systems that were not commissioned during the original system design and construction, re-commissioning of the system is required.

TIER 1 METHODS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE To achieve points in Tier 1 on-site renewable energy systems a project must either install the minimum rated capacity of on-site renewable energy as a function of project area for the three largest floors or install qualifying renewable energy that will generate the specified percent of the project’s annual site energy. Projects may quickly calculate compliance using either method and apply the method that leads to greatest achievement of points.

TIER 1 MINIMUM RATED CAPACITY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPLIANCE The minimum rated capacity method is most appropriate for multi-story building projects or projects with high process loads not capable of supplying a significant proportion of building site energy use through on-site renewable energy.

The area (A) used to calculate the minimum rated capacity is the sum of the gross project floor area of all the floors up to the three largest floors. This value refers to the project dimensions, regardless of whether the renewable system is installed on the project site, on the campus, or on the site of a social impact project.

o For projects with three floors or less, A is equal to the total gross floor area of the

project.

o For multi-story buildings with equal floor plates across all floors, A is equal to three

times the floor plate area.

o For all other projects, A is determined by identifying the three largest floors and

summing the area for these three floors.

Use the area (A) to calculate the required minimum rated capacity of renewable energy for up to two points. For solar photovoltaic panels, use the Direct Current (DC) rated capacity, without degrading for system losses.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 340