Renewable Energy and LEED
The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has created a series of green building rating systems that Harvard uses to certify its green buildings. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system is a widely accepted benchmarking system for designing green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by focusing on five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
LEED for Existing Buildings
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 2: (4 points) 1 point for each 3% of the building’s total energy use produced by on-site renewable energy and/or 1 point for each 15% of total energy use purchased as off-site Green-e certified power
LEED for New Construction
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 2: (3 points) 1 point for the first 2.5% of the building’s total energy use that is produced by on-site renewable energy, and one point for each additional 5% (up to 12.5%)
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 6: (1 point) at least 35% of the building’s electricity is offset with Green-e certified renewable energy purchases
LEED for Commercial Interiors
- Sustainable Sites Credit 1, Option K: (1 point) ½ point for each 5% of total energy use that is produced by on-site renewable energy
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 4: (1 point) at least 50% of the building’s electricity is offset with Green-e certified renewable energy purchases
LEED for Homes
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 10: (10 points) 1 point for every 5% of annual electricity load produced by on-site renewable energy
LEED for Core & Shell
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 2: (1 point) at least 1% of the building’s total energy is produced by on-site renewable energy
- Energy & Atmosphere Credit 6: (1 point) at least 35% of the building’s electricity is offset with a green power purchase for two years
