PERFORMANCE PERIOD CLARIFICATIONS
Multiple Units
Projects with multiple units can have separate performance periods if the individual units have separate and dedicated renewable energy infrastructure and energy-use metering. If renewable energy infrastructure is shared, then the performance period must be the same to ensure the renewables meet the demand for all units.
Multi-Tenant and Multifamily
To address the reality of leasing rates of spaces with multiple tenants, a minimum of 85% of the gross building area must be occupied in order to be considered “fully occupied” and begin the 12-month performance period. To compensate for any unoccupied areas, documentation must show the proportionate energy and water usage for the occupied area. This applies to efficiency baselines, energy generation and usage, and water supply and treatment.
Common areas are considered “occupied” if they are fully functional (i.e., lit, conditioned, etc.). Spaces must be occupied and used as intended, not just leased, to contribute to the 85% threshold.
Efficiency Baselines
Baselines need to reflect the occupancy rate during the performance period. For example, if 85% of the gross floor area is occupied during the performance period, then to calculate the consumption limit for the efficiency requirement, the project team would first determine the baseline for a fully occupied building, then calculate 85% of that, and to that result apply the applicable reduction percentage.
Balanced Consumption and Supply
Similarly, for energy and water supply generated by projects pursuing I06 – Net Positive Water or I08 – Net Positive Carbon, if only 85% of the gross floor area is occupied during the performance period, then the consumption data would need to show that the project used no more than 85% of the energy produced or water collected.
Small fluctuations in occupancy during the performance period are not monitored by the Challenge. If the occupancy of leased areas dips below the 85% threshold for more than one month, the performance data should reflect that fluctuation (i.e., resource use decreased proportionally, indicating that sufficient water and/or energy was available for 100% occupancy).
System Adjustments
The performance period requires 12 consecutive months of the project demonstrating compliance at full occupancy. Any consecutive 12-month performance period may be used as long as the building is fully occupied, as defined above. It is acceptable to make system adjustments as necessary during the 12-month performance period to meet project goals.
