855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 354
Extracted Content
ANNUAL SITE ENERGY ESTIMATION: PRESCRIPTIVE PATH Projects using the prescriptive method to show compliance with EAp2: Minimum Energy Efficiency must rely on estimations from EAp1: Operational Carbon Projection and Decarbonization Plan to determine total annual site energy for renewable energy credit calculations. Break down the site energy into electric, fuel, and district energy consumption.
Additional considerations Refer to the District Energy Guidance for optional site energy adjustments that may be applied for district energy use.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CRITERIA
Contract Length
Projects must retain energy attribute certificates (EACs) for the annual renewable energy generation for a minimum of 10 years. Contractual documentation must show ownership of the EACs for the required duration. Examples include a ten-year contract for renewable power from:
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Tier 1 . Third party-owned on-site renewable energy system
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Tier 2 . Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA)
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Tier 3 . Green Tariff
For contract durations shorter than 10 years, prorate the renewable energy across 10 years. For a one-time bulk purchase of renewable energy, the annual renewable energy quantity allocated to the project is the total purchase quantity divided by 10.
For older contracts, only count the remaining time left in the contract no earlier than 18 months before the initial submission date for LEED certification (consistent with the Vintage criteria below).
For Tier 3 renewable energy where a ten-year contract is not available, project teams may show compliance with the 10-year minimum contract term by demonstrating the following:
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The project has an executed contract for a minimum of one year, or where contracts are not available per regulatory requirements, document that the project has been enrolled in the Green-e® or equivalent utility tariff for a minimum of one month. AND
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The building owner must provide a signed letter of commitment indicating that the project will remain continuously enrolled in the 100% renewable Green-e® or equivalent utility tariff, or alternate 100% Green-e® or equivalent procurement source for a minimum of 10 years (or the number of years documented for credit if less than 10 years).
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 344