LEED Zero

Program Guide
April 2020

Last updated: January 2020

Original document published November 2019.

Contents
Introduction to LEED Zero ................................................................................ 3

Program Requirements ...................................................................................... 4

Certification Process .......................................................................................... 4

LEED Zero Carbon Certification ........................................................................ 5

LEED Zero Energy Certification......................................................................... 6

LEED Zero Water Certification ........................................................................... 8

LEED Zero Waste Certification .......................................................................... 9

Calculations ...................................................................................................... 10

Renewable Energy Guidance ........................................................................... 12

LEED Zero Carbon Example ............................................................................ 13

LEED Zero Energy Examples ........................................................................... 14

Required Documentation ................................................................................. 16

Introduction to LEED Zero
LEED Zero highlights the achievements of exemplary projects in areas that are critical to the
goal of reaching a regenerative future. Projects can complement their existing LEED
certification or LEED O+M registration with one or more of the following LEED Zero
certifications:

• LEED Zero Carbon recognizes buildings operating with net zero carbon emissions
over the course of the past year. This certification provides a transparent accounting
of the balance of carbon caused from energy consumption and occupant
transportation to carbon emissions avoided or offset and will expand in the future to
incorporate carbon caused from water consumption, waste generation, and the
embodied carbon of materials used into the carbon balance.

• LEED Zero Energy recognizes buildings that achieve a source energy use balance
of zero for the past year.

• LEED Zero Water Certification recognizes buildings that achieve a potable water
use balance of zero for the past year.

• LEED Zero Waste Certification recognizes buildings that achieve GBCI’s TRUE
Zero Waste certification at the Platinum level.

LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places to enhance the health
and well-being of building occupants and the natural environment. This work is even more
important in light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report from
October 2018, describing the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial
levels on environmental, human health and economic systems. In sum, climate change
requires fundamental shifts to the structure and consumption habits of human society as well
as adaptive and integrated carbon reduction, sustainable development and resilience
strategies deployed at all scales.

For over two decades, LEED has guided and pushed projects to aim for higher performance
and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through integrated building strategies impacting
energy, transportation, water, waste and materials. The built environment plays a critical role
in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon society and enhancing the health of natural and
human ecosystems.

Building on the success of LEED as a market transformation tool, LEED Zero verifies the
achievement of net zero goals and signals market leadership in the built environment.
Participants can pursue multiple LEED Zero certifications concurrently.
Program Requirements
Projects must be LEED certified under a BD+C or O+M rating system.

Core and Shell certified projects are eligible for LEED Zero if the building meets LEED
minimum occupancy requirements for the duration of the performance period: the building
must have an average occupancy of 50% or greater over the previous 12 months.

For projects pursuing LEED Zero Carbon, LEED Zero Energy, and LEED Zero Water
certification:

1. Provide 12 months of performance data required for the desired certification to GBCI.
2. When the project achieves a carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO 2 E) balance of zero, a
source energy use balance of zero, and/or a potable water use balance of zero, the
team submits for GBCI review.

Projects pursuing the LEED Zero Waste certification submit their TRUE Zero Waste Platinum
certification for GBCI review.

Certification Process
LEED Zero certification fees are available here.

1. Registration
Email leedzero@usgbc.org to register your project. There is no registration fee.

2. Share Performance Data and Provide Documentation

Activate or update the LEED project profile in Arc.

Share performance data for the certification being pursued. Upload supporting
documentation as outlined in the Required Documentation section.

3. Certification Review
Identify the 12-month performance period for the project’s LEED Zero application.
Email leedzero@usgbc.org to confirm that the project’s application is ready for review.

LEED Zero certification review comprises a preliminary review and final review by GBCI.
The timeframe for review is 15 – 20 business days.

LEED Zero certification is valid for three years from the date of certification acceptance.
Projects must submit performance data annually, or more frequently, for the duration of the
three-year period when LEED Zero certification is valid.

LEED Zero projects recertify every three years to maintain their certifications up to date.
LEED Zero Carbon Certification
To obtain LEED Zero Carbon certification, a project must achieve a carbon-dioxide
equivalent (CO 2 E) balance of zero for the past year:

Carbon Balance = Total Carbon Emitted - Total Carbon Avoided

Carbon Emitted is calculated from delivered energy and occupant transportation. Carbon Avoided
includes on-site renewable energy generated and exported to the grid, off-site renewable energy
procurement, and the purchase of carbon offsets. Renewable energy generated and used on site
reduces the amount of energy delivered.

Environmental benefits of all renewable energy generation or procurement must be retained by

the project.

An overview of the carbon balance is provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Carbon Balance

Item Category Calculation

CARBON EMITTED
Electricity drawn from grid Equation 1
Natural gas
Propane
Fuel Oil (No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, diesel oil, kerosene)
Coal (anthracite, bituminous, coke)
Energy delivered District steam Equation 2
District hot water

District chilled water

Wood
Total Carbon from Energy
Walk, bike, telecommute always 0
Motorcycle
Heavy rail
2-3 Carpool
Transportation Light rail Equation 3
Alternative fuel vehicles
Bus
Car (solo)
Total Carbon from Transportation Equation 3
Sum = carbon
emitted from
(a) Total Carbon Emitted
energy +
transportation
 CARBON AVOIDED

Onsite renewable energy generated and exported to grid Equation 4

Offsite renewable energy procured Equation 5

Sum CO 2 E
for carbon
Carbon Offsets
offsets
purchase
(b) Total Carbon Avoided

CARBON BALANCE

If difference is ≤ 0, project can submit for certification. (a) – (b)

If purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), also known as Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs), the EACs must be Green-e Energy certified or equivalent. Carbon offsets must be
Green-e Climate certified or equivalent.

Projects must purchase EACs or carbon offsets annually during the three year period when the
certification is valid. On-site renewable energy generation and consumption will vary based on
weather and operating conditions, so year to year the required purchase will vary. For LEED
Zero certification review, it is sufficient for the project owner to provide a written commitment to
purchase EACs or carbon offsets, as applicable, each year during the three-year period when the
certification is valid in order to maintain the net zero carbon balance.

LEED Zero Energy Certification

To obtain LEED Zero Energy certification, a project must achieve a source energy use
balance of zero for the past year. The net zero energy balance is based on the quantity of
source energy delivered and the quantity of renewable energy that displaces non-renewable
energy on the grid. Renewable energy generated and used on site reduces the amount of
energy delivered.

Source Energy Balance = (Total Source Energy Delivered) – (Total Non-Renewable Source
Energy Displaced)

This equation can also be written as:

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏

= (𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 × 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)
− ((𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑔𝑔𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
× 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)
+ (𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
× 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓))
To calculate source energy delivered to the project, use the national average ENERGY
STAR Source-Site Ratios for each building energy source from the Energy Star Portfolio
Manager Technical Reference: Source Energy for projects in the U.S. and Canada.
International projects may use the U.S. source-to-site ratios or published source-to-site ratios
for the country or multi-country region where the project is located. Use the same source
energy conversion factors for calculating energy delivered and non-renewable energy
displaced.

Environmental benefits of all renewable energy generation or procurement must be retained by

the project.

An overview of the source energy balance is provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Source Energy Balance

Item Category Calculation

ENERGY DELIVERED
Electricity drawn from grid
Natural gas
Propane
Multiply
Fuel Oil (No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, diesel oil, kerosene)
energy
Coal (anthracite, bituminous, coke) consumed by
Energy delivered District steam the source
conversion
District hot water factor

District chilled water

Wood
(a) Total Energy Delivered

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY DISPLACED

Multiply by the
Onsite renewable energy generated and exported to grid non-
renewable
source
conversion
factor for the
Offsite renewable energy procured
displaced
energy
(b) Total Non-Renewable Energy
Displaced
SOURCE ENERGY BALANCE

If difference is ≤ 0, project can submit for certification. (a) – (b)

If purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), also known as Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs), the EACs must be Green-e Energy certified or equivalent. Carbon offsets must be
Green-e Climate certified or equivalent.
Projects must purchase EACs annually during the three-year period when the certification is valid.
On-site renewable energy generation and consumption will vary based on weather and operating
conditions, so year to year the required purchase will vary. For LEED Zero certification review, it
is sufficient for the project owner to provide a written commitment to purchase EACs each year
during the three-year period when the certification is valid in order to maintain the net zero source
energy balance.

LEED Zero Water Certification

To obtain LEED Zero Water certification, a project must achieve a potable water use
balance of zero for the past year.

Water Balance = Total Potable Water Consumed – (Total Alternative Water Used +
Water Returned to Original Source)

An overview of the water balance is provided in Table 3.

“Water returned to its original source” includes rainwater stored and infiltrated or
evapotranspirated via green infrastructure, and wastewater treated and returned to the local
watershed or aquifer via decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Calculations for the
amount of rainwater retained and infiltrated on-site must be based on the calculation methodology
outlined under LEED v4 Sustainable Sites credit Rainwater Management.

Table 3: Water Balance

Item Description

POTABLE WATER CONSUMED

Water consumption Total potable water consumed by the project

(a) Total Potable Water Consumed
ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES and WATER RETURNED
Reclaimed water delivered from municipality

Off-site Water Sources Municipally renovated wastewater

Other off-site source – specify
Captured rainwater (roof)
Captured rainwater runoff (site)
Captured rainwater overflow

On-site Water Sources AHU Condensate

Steam recovery
Greywater reuse
Other on-site water source – specify
Water collected from building systems (e.g.
Water Returned green infrastructure, on-site treated wastewater)
and returned to original water source
 (b) Total Alternative Water Sources +
Sum = onsite + offsite + returned
Water Returned
WATER BALANCE
If difference is ≤ 0, project can submit for
(a) – (b)
certification.

LEED Zero Waste Certification

To obtain LEED Zero Waste certification, a project must achieve GBCI’s TRUE Zero Waste
certification at the Platinum level. The TRUE Zero Waste program requires projects to have
a zero waste policy in place, achieve an average of 90% or greater overall diversion from
landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy) and the environment for solid, non-hazardous wastes
for the most recent 12 months, and fulfill five other minimum program requirements.

A project team submits their TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification for GBCI review in
order to earn LEED Waste Certification.
Calculations

Equation 1. Annual CO 2 e from Electricity Consumption

Annual CO 2 e from Electricity Consumption = annual electricity consumption (kBtu) x

grid coefficient for the location (g CO 2 E/kBtu)

Annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO 2 e) is automatically calculated from

electricity data submitted from projects. The electricity consumption is converted into
equivalent GHG emissions using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
subregional grid mix coefficients for U.S. and Canadian projects, and national grid mix
coefficients from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) “CO 2 Emissions from Fuel
Combustion 2017.”

Alternatively, projects in the US and Canada may complete an offline calculation to calculate
CO 2 e from electricity on an hourly basis using EPA’s AVERT tool or another source of hourly
carbon emissions factors for the regional grid. Projects in other countries may complete an
offline calculation to calculate CO 2 e from electricity on an hourly basis where there is an
appropriate source of hourly carbon emissions factors for the grid.

Equation 2. Annual CO 2 e from Fuel Consumption

Annual CO 2 e from fuel = annual fuel consumption (BTU) x carbon emission factor for
the fuel (CO 2 E/BTU)

Equivalent GHG emissions are calculated automatically from project fuel consumption, using
the U.S. EPA fuel coefficient values.

Equation 3. Annual CO 2 e from Transportation

Based on regular building occupant and visitor responses to an occupant transportation

survey, project greenhouse gas emissions are automatically calculated as annual CO 2 e
resulting from occupant transportation to and from the building. The project team must
conduct at least one occupant transportation survey every 365 days.

An emissions value is calculated for each building occupant that completes the survey as
follows:

Equation 3a. CO 2 e value for each route provided for the occupant

CO 2 e for route (lbs) = (CO 2 e lbs./mile) * distance traveled in miles

Table 4: CO 2 e values for a one-way trip, for each mode of transit:

Equation 3b. CO 2 e for each occupant:

CO 2 e for individual occupant (lbs.) = (∑ CO 2 e for route) / # routes

For visitors, calculations include one route as their survey includes only one way and one
day.

For regular building occupants, calculations may include more than one route as their survey
requests information regarding two commutes over one week, and includes all
seasons/yearly variations). Each route is weighted equally.

Equation 3c. Project CO 2 e per one-way trip per occupant (lbs.)

Project CO 2 e per one-way trip occupant (lbs.) = (∑ CO 2 e for individual occupant) / #

occupants in survey

Equation 3d. Survey Scaled CO 2 e value for each occupant

Survey Scaled CO 2 e value for each occupant = Average Survey CO 2 e value for
each occupant (lbs.) * Total Occupants * Operating days per week * 2 trips/day *
Survey period (weeks)

Equation 3e. Annual CO 2 e value for transportation:

Annual CO 2 e value for transportation = (∑ all Scaled Survey Period CO 2 E values for
each occupant)

Equation 4. Annual Carbon Avoided from Onsite Renewable Energy Generated and
Exported to Grid

Annual Carbon Avoided from On-Site Renewable Energy Generated and Exported to
Grid = ∑ hourly electricity generation (kWh) from on-site renewable energy x hourly
carbon emission rates for the recipient grid
Complete an offline calculation to calculate CO 2 e avoided from on-site generated electricity
on an hourly basis using EPA’s AVERT tool or another source of hourly carbon emissions
factors for the regional grid. Where hourly data are not available, monthly or annual on-site
generated electricity may be used to calculate avoided carbon emissions using the AVERT
marginal emission factor for the renewable energy type and for the region, for the most
recent year available.

Equation 5. Annual Carbon Avoided from Offsite Renewable Energy Procured

Annual Carbon Avoided from Off-Site Renewable Energy Procured = ∑ hourly

electricity generation (kWh) from off-site renewable energy x hourly carbon emission
rates for the recipient grid

Complete an offline calculation to calculate CO 2 e avoided from off-site generated electricity

on an hourly basis using EPA’s AVERT tool or another source of hourly carbon emissions
factors for the regional grid. Where hourly data are not available, monthly or annual
generation and emissions rates may be used to calculate avoided carbon emissions using
the AVERT marginal emission factor for the renewable energy type and for the region, for the
most recent year available.

Renewable Energy Guidance

LEED Zero recognizes exported on-site renewable energy and off-site renewable energy,
consistent with the approach reflected in LEED v4.1. After maximizing passive strategies and
investing in energy efficiency to reduce overall energy demand, project teams should follow a
hierarchy for selecting renewable energy sources:

1. On-site generation;
2. Local generation, such as community solar or wind, in instances where it will have a
beneficial decarbonizing impact;
3. Offsite generation projects, such as through power purchase agreements;
4. Energy attribute certificates (EACs), also known as Renewable Energy Certificates
(RECs)

Additional Guidance – LEED Zero Carbon:

For projects pursuing LEED Zero Carbon certification, avoided carbon calculations are based on
the best available data for the recipient grid, with a preference for hourly carbon factors.

Onsite generated energy exported to the grid is included in carbon balance calculations with
attention to avoided carbon at the time of export. A building with excess on-site solar energy
exported to a grid that has significant amounts of solar energy may have minimal carbon
reduction effect. Conversely, a building with onsite solar energy production along with storage, so
that excess power can be exported during hours when the grid is dominated by fossil fuel
generation, would have greater carbon reduction effects.

Off-site renewable energy procured is included in carbon balance calculations on the basis of the
recipient grid and time of generation.
LEED Zero Carbon Example
Carbon Balance = Total Carbon Emitted - Total Carbon Avoided

A building in Boston has the following annual delivered energy types:

• 290 MWh electricity
• 85 MBtu natural gas

The project purchases 36 MWh of power in the form of Green-e Energy certified RECs from
a wind farm in Texas.

Step 1. Calculate Carbon Emitted

The project administers an occupant transportation survey via Arc. Based on the results of
the survey, calculated carbon emissions from transportation are 150,369 lbCO 2 e/year.

To convert energy to GHG emissions:

• Co-efficient to convert electricity to GHG emission = 558.2 lbCO 2 e/MWh (NEWE
(NPCC New England) eGrid emissions factor) 1
• Co-efficient to convert natural gas to GHG emission = 116 lbCO 2 e/MBtu 2

Table 5. Carbon Emitted

Annual Total Carbon Emitted
Source Calculate Carbon Emitted (lbCO e/year)
Consumption 2

Electricity 290 MWh = 290 x 558.2 lbCO e/MWh 161,878

2

Natural Gas 85 MBtu = 85 x 116 lbCO e/MBtu 9,860

2
Transportation - - 150,369
Total Carbon Emitted 322,107

Step 2. Calculate Carbon Avoided

To convert off-site renewable energy procurement to carbon avoided:

• Co-efficient to convert electricity to GHG emission = 1,009.2 lbCO 2 e/MWh (ERCT
(ERCOT All) eGrid emissions factor) 3

Table 6. Carbon Avoided

Annual Total Carbon Avoided
Source Calculate Carbon Avoided (lbCO e/year)
Consumption 2
Off-site
renewable 36 MWh = 36 x 1,009.2 lbCO e/MWh 36,331
2
energy purchase
Total Carbon Avoided 36,331

1https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/documents/emission-factors_mar_2018_0.pdf
2https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/documents/emission-factors_mar_2018_0.pdf
3https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-03/documents/emission-factors_mar_2018_0.pdf
Step 3. Calculate Carbon Balance

Carbon Balance = 322,107 lbCO e/year – 36,331 lbCO e/year

2 2
= 285,776 lbCO e/year
2

This project has a carbon imbalance of 285,776 lbCO e/year.

2
The project must increase renewable energy procurement and/or invest in carbon offsets in
order to achieve LEED Zero Carbon certification.

LEED Zero Energy Examples

Source Energy Balance = (Total Source Energy Delivered) – (Total Non-Renewable Source
Energy Displaced)

Example 1

A building has the following:

• Actual annual energy consumed: 300,000 kBtu electricity
• On-site renewable energy generated and consumed from PV: 150,000 kBtu
electricity from photovoltaics
• Off-site wind power procured: 150,000 kBtu electricity

Step 1. Calculate Energy Delivered

Energy Delivered = (300,000 – 150,000) x 2.80

= 420,000 kBtu

Step 2. Calculate Non-Renewable Energy Displaced

Off-site renewable electricity displaces fossil-fuel generated electricity on the grid, for which
the source energy conversion factor is 2.80.

Non-Renewable Energy Displaced = 150,000 x 2.80 = 420,000 kBtu

Step 3. Calculate Source Energy Balance

Source Energy Balance (E source ) = 420,000 kBtu – 420,000 kBtu = 0 kBtu

Because E source ≤ 0, the building can achieve LEED Zero Energy certification.

Example 2

A building has the following:

• Actual annual energy consumption:
o 120,000 kBtu electricity
o 160,000 kBtu natural gas
• On-site renewable energy generated and consumed from PV: 100,000 kBtu
electricity from photovoltaics
 • Off-site wind power procured: 80,000 kBtu electricity

Step 1. Calculate Energy Delivered

Energy Delivered = (120,000 – 100,000) x 2.80) + (160,000 x 1.05)

= 56,000 + 168,000
= 224,000 kBtu

Step 2. Calculate Non-Renewable Energy Displaced

Off-site renewable electricity displaces fossil-fuel generated electricity on the grid, for which
the source energy conversion factor is 2.80.

Non-Renewable Energy Displaced = 80,000 x 2.80 = 224,000 kBtu

Step 3. Calculate Source Energy Balance

Source Energy Balance (E source ) = 224,000 kBtu – 224,000 kBtu = 0 kBtu

Because E source ≤ 0, the building can achieve LEED Zero Energy certification.

Example 3

A warehouse building has the following:

• Actual annual energy consumption:
o 200,000 kBtu electricity
o 60,000 kBtu natural gas
o 100,000 kBtu chilled water
• A Power Purchase Agreement for a large PV array installed on the roof. The PV
array exports 260,000 kBtu to the grid annually.
o The project retains the environmental attributes, or EACs, associated with the
renewable energy generation.

Step 1. Calculate Energy Delivered

Energy Delivered = [(200,000 x 2.80) + (60,000 x 1.05) + (100,000 x 0.91)]

= 560,000 + 63,000 + 91,000
= 714,000 kBtu

Step 2. Calculate Non-Renewable Energy Displaced

On-site renewable electricity exported to the grid displaces fossil-fuel generated electricity on
the grid, for which the source energy conversion factor is 2.80.

Non-Renewable Energy Displaced = 260,000 x 2.80 = 728,000 kBtu

Step 3. Calculate Source Energy Balance

Source Energy Balance (E source ) = 714,000 kBtu – 728,000 kBtu = - 14,000 kBtu

Because E source < 0, the building is operating at net positive energy and can achieve
LEED Zero Energy certification.
Required Documentation
Projects pursuing LEED Zero Carbon, LEED Zero Energy, and LEED Zero Water
certification upload 12 months of metered performance data required for the desired
certification in Arc. Additional required documentation is outlined in Table 7.

Table 7. LEED Zero Documentation Requirements

Documentation Carbon Energy Water Waste

Utility bills for all energy and water sources, with
X X X
consumption values and dates highlighted

Calculations showing net zero balance ≤ 0 X X X

Documentation for each source of renewable

energy, including purchase contract for off-site
X X
renewable energy, or purchase contract for carbon
offsets, as applicable

Narrative description of alternative water sources

X
and water returned to original water source

TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification X