855773667-LEED-v5-O-M-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 153
Extracted Content
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 the project area for the three largest floors or install qualifying renewable energy to generate the specified percent of the project’s annual electricity. Projects may quickly calculate compliance using either method and apply the method that leads to the 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 that cannot supply 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 or fewer floors, 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 equals 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.
Table 5.
| Points | Minimum Rated Capacity | Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| Points | IP Units | SI Units |
| 1 | A x 1.0 Watt/sq. ft. | A x 10.8 Watt/sq. m. |
| 2 | A x 2.0 Watt/sq. ft. | A x 21.6 Watt/sq. m. |
For a building three stories or taller, the minimum required rated capacity corresponds to approximately 20% of gross roof area covered by solar photovoltaics for one point or approximately 40% of gross roof area covered by solar photovoltaics for two points.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 143