LEED Green Associate Practice Test

What are the two main strategies for producing renewable energy to meet energy credit requirements?

1. Canada and Mexico Partnerships

2. In-house solar panels and third-party wind farms

3. On-site renewable energy systems and purchasing off-site renewable energy

4. Government subsidies and private investments

The correct answer is: On-site renewable energy systems and purchasing off-site renewable energy

The most suitable answer is focused on the two primary strategies used to generate renewable energy in a LEED context. On-site renewable energy systems, such as solar panels installed directly at a facility, allow for immediate energy generation that can directly contribute to reducing a building’s energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels. Purchasing off-site renewable energy, such as participating in community solar programs or buying renewable energy certificates (RECs), enables projects to support broader renewable energy production even if they do not have the capacity to generate the energy on-site. This approach aligns well with LEED's goals of promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impacts through renewable energy use. It ensures that buildings can either depend on their own green energy production or invest in cleaner energy sources from the broader market. In contrast, partnerships with other countries, individual investment strategies, or economic incentives do not primarily focus on energy generation as strategies for meeting LEED credit requirements, which is why they are not the best fit for this question.