Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

The intent of this Credit is to "encourage and recognize increasing levels of self-supply through renewable technologies to reduce environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use". Recently, we have heard conflicting information about the USGBC acceptance of solar thermal applications for this credit. Solar thermal system manufacturers have been promoting their products as applicable to LEED" Credits. We have also heard from a LEED" trainer that solar thermal applications are not accepted by the USGBC under LEED" 2.1. In the description of the Renewable Energy Credit, solar thermal applications are not mentioned, only photovoltaic systems (PV). Solar thermal technology is a much more efficient alternative to PV, and in almost all applications, provides a more cost-effective solution and use of a renewable resource. We are proposing to incorporate a solar hot water and space heating system using evacuated tube collectors, a heat exchanger, and solar PV pumps for circulation of the heat exchange fluid. In addition to the supply of hot water, we are also using the collectors to supply a radiant floor heat system. This solar thermal system will provide 90% of the hot water demand and over half of the heating for our building, and in conjunction with a PV array, will contribute to an approximate 15-20% renewable portion of the Total Energy Load Cost. Our goal is to promote all renewable energy systems and to achieve three (3) LEED" Credits with the combination of solar thermal and PV. If the thermal component is not credited, the PV alone would not be enough to earn one credit. We believe that solar thermal technologies meet the intent of the credit by significantly reducing our project\'s reliance on fossil fuel energy and that the energy savings realized should be incorporated into the renewable energy contribution for our project. Since the use of solar thermal technologies is not specifically identified in LEED" documentation, we want to have confirmation that this application of renewable energy is accepted by the USGBC and will achieve the intent of the Renewable Energy Credits.