855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 352

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For renewable electricity, the Commercial Operations Date of the renewable power generator may be up to fifteen years old to meet the Green-e® Energy Generator Age and New Date criteria.

Eligible renewable electricity resource types: Tiers 2 and 3

Eligible renewable power generation resources for Tier 2 and Tier 3 electricity include:

  • Solar electric (Photovoltaics)

  • Wind

  • Geothermal energy (electricity or heat generated from subterranean steam or hot water)

  • Ocean-based energy (such as wave or tidal energy conversion)*

  • Low-impact hydropower*

  • Biomass production*

These renewable electricity generation sources should meet the criteria in Green-e® Framework for Renewable Energy Certification, Section IIIA, 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 Green-e® criteria to confirm resource eligibility.

For instance, in the United States, 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:

  • New generation capacity on a non-impoundment, OR

  • New generation capacity on an existing impoundment from a hydropower facility certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI), or from a hydropower facility consisting of a turbine in a pipeline or in an irrigation canal.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 342