IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating System

The building sector in India is growing at a rapid pace and contributing significantly for the increase in energy demand. The increase in energy demand leads to increase in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and hence global warming. Green buildings have demonstrated that about 25 to 30% reduction in energy consumption with respect to the National baselines, can be achieved by implementing energy efficient practices and technologies.

The advancements in the renewable energy technologies, policy interventions by the Government and the wider adoption of renewable energy sources have made the cost of renewable energy generation very competitive. In fact, buildings can become self-sufficient by generating their own energy requirements economically, through the use of onsite/ offsite renewable energy sources.

Against this background, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has launched 'IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating System' in 2018. This rating system is a tool which enables the designer to apply energy efficiency concepts and adopt appropriate renewable sources by design to achieve Net Zero Energy Status. In case of an existing building, the tool enables implementation of energy efficient measures to reduce energy consumption and meet the rest of the energy requirements through renewable energy sources.

Benefits

Net Zero Energy concepts and techniques encourage to use of Renewable Energy sources to meet the energy requirements of the building. It would result in

  • Improvement in energy efficiency and hence reduction in annual energy consumption to the tune of about 25-30% with respect to the National baseline.
  • Overall reduction in energy cost of at least about 30%.
  • Reliable source of power supply if combined with energy storage devices.

The rating system evaluates buildings on a performance-based approach. The rating system is evolved to be comprehensive and at the same time user-friendly. The programme is fundamentally designed to reduce the energy needs of a building and national priorities.

Overview

IGBC Net Zero Energy rating system addresses energy efficiency and Renewable Energy through the following sections

  • Energy performance
    • Simulation approach
    • Prescriptive approach
      • Energy efficient building envelope
      • Air conditioning
      • Lighting
      • Appliances
  • Renewable Energy
  • Thermal comfort, Indoor temperature and RH

Note:
The mandatory requirements and credits earned at the preliminary review are only considered as expected. These mandatory requirements and credits are not awarded until the final documents are submitted, along with additional documents showing implementation of design features.

Scope

IGBC Net Zero Energy Rating System is designed for both new and existing buildings/ projects, both for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned spaces.

Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Rating is applicable to Commercial, Industrial as well as Residential building projects those are able to off-set 100% annual grid energy use by renewable energy sources (either on-site and or off-site). These buildings include but not limited to offices, banks, IT parks, shopping malls, hotels, hospitals, airports, convention centers, educational institutions (schools, colleges, university Campus), Factory Building/ projects, Warehouses, Railway Stations, etc.

Validity

The rating awarded for IGBC Net Zero Energy under Design & Construction phase or Operations phase would be valid for a period of 3 years. The projects certified under Design & Construction phase shall apply for Operations phase certification with the prevailing version. The projects certified under Operations phase shall apply for recertification with the prevailing version

Types of Certifications

Projects can apply for IGBC Net Zero certification during Design and Operation phase, and following are the types of certification:

  • Design Certification - For projects in Design and Construction stage.
  • Operations Certification Fee(₹)# - For projects in Operations stage for at least one year. Such projects should have implemented the measures and also have the recent annual performance data for validation.
  • Precertification - For projects in Operations stage for at least three months. Such projects should have implemented the measures and also have the recent three months performance data for validation.

For more details on types of certifications, please click here.

Certification Levels

The threshold criteria for certification levels are as under :

Certification Level Compliance Requirement (Percentage of renewable energy w.r.t. total annual energy consumption) Minimum Points to Comply
Near Net Zero Energy Meet/ offset 75% or more project’s annual energy requirement from on-site/ off-site RE sources NA
Net Zero Energy Meet/ offset 100% or Maximum Allowable Quantity* of project’s annual energy requirement from on-site/ off-site RE sources NA
Net Zero Energy Platinum Meet/ offset 100% or Maximum Allowable Quantity* of project’s annual energy requirement from on-site/ off-site RE sources 80

* Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ):

(a) Maximum allowable quantity depends on the state electricity policy related to maximum allowable capacity for the respective project with respect to onsite and offsite/open access renewable energy sources.

(b) The maximum allowable quantity shall be equal or higher than 95% w.r.t. building’s annual energy consumption.

Fee Structure (effective from 1st February 2025)

Registration Fee:
Membership Category Fee (₹)
IGBC Founding Member ₹ 25,000
IGBC Annual Member ₹ 25,000
Non Member ₹ 30,000
Design Certification Fee(₹)*
Membership Category Base Fee
5,000 sqm & below 5,001 sqm to 75,000 sqm 75,001 sqm & above "For each additional building with built-up area 5,001 sqm and above (Additional fee is applicable for upto 4 buildings)"
Flat Fee (₹) Based on sqm (₹) Flat Fee (₹) Flat Fee (₹)
IGBC Founding Member ₹ 2,20,000 ₹ 2,45,000 plus ₹ 5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 6,20,000 ₹ 50,000
IGBC Annual Member ₹ 2,40,000 ₹ 2,65,000 plus ₹ 5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 6,40,000 ₹ 50,000
Non-Member ₹ 2,60,000 ₹ 2,85,000 plus ₹ 5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 6,60,000 ₹ 50,000
Operations Certification Fee(₹)#
Membership Category Base Fee
5,000 sqm and below 5,001 sqm to 75,000 sqm 75,001 sqm & above "For each additional building with built-up area 5,001 sqm and above (Additional fee is applicable for upto 4 buildings)"
Flat Fee (₹) Based on sqm (₹) Flat Fee (₹) Flat Fee (₹)
IGBC Founding Member ₹ 2,20,000 ₹ 2,45,000 plus ₹ 7.5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 7,95,000 ₹ 50,000
IGBC Annual Member ₹ 240,000 ₹ 2,65,000 plus ₹ 7.5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 8,15,000 ₹ 50,000
Non-Member ₹ 2,60,000 ₹ 2,85,000 plus ₹ 7.5 per additional sqm over & above 5,000 sqm ₹ 8,25,000 ₹ 50,000
Notes:
  • For fee calculation, parking areas need not be considered as part of the built-up area.
  • Fee is exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • Additional building in the fee structure refers to Projects with multiple buildings including common basements
  • Registration, Certification, and Precertification fees are non-refundable (GST)
Additional Notes:
Registration:
  • The registration fee shall be payable only once for adopting any IGBC Net Zero rating system or a combination of Net Zero rating systems.
  • The green building projects which are already registered under any IGBC rating system (other than IGBC Net Zero rating system) shall register separately for the Net Zero certification.
Certification:
  • The projects which adopt second/third/fourth Net Zero rating (Say NZ Energy or NZ Water or NZ Waste to Landfill or NZ Carbon) shall be offered 20% reduction on the base NZ Design/ Operations certification/ Precertification fee for each additional NZ rating whenever the project applies for certification.
  • Projects which have achieved/ applied for Certification under other IGBC rating systems, a reduction in base fee by 10% shall be applicable for Operations Certification/ Precertification.
Recertification:
  • INR 2,00,000 (or) 50% of the base Operations certification fee, whichever is higher, shall be paid based on the prevalent fee structure of respective IGBC NZ rating system.
Design Certification:
  • Design Certification is applicable for projects in Design and Construction phase.
  • Design Certification is valid for three years from the date of award.
Operations Certification:
  • Operations Certification is applicable for projects in Operations phase which are in operations for a minimum of one year.
  • Operations Certification is valid for three years from the date of award.
Precertification:
  • Precertification is applicable for projects in Operations phase. Such projects should have implemented the NZ related measures and have at least recent three months performance data for validation.
  • Precertification is valid for one year from the date of award and such projects shall be apply for Operations Certification later.
  • The fee for Precertification is same as Operations Certification fee, and projects which apply for Precertification need not pay Operations Certification fee later.

Contact Us

For more details, please contact:
IGBC Marketing:
Anand Sundararajan
Associate Counsellor
Request a Call
IGBC Technical:
Naveen Jain
Counsellor
naveen.jain@cii.in
Gaurav Pershad

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