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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
This is a pilot credit. To use any pilot credit on your LEED project, be sure to register here. Documentation requirements and additional questions are listed below.
To reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by designing to maximize opportunities for solar design.
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit was closed to new pilot credit registrations on 3/1/2015. It is now available in the LEED Innovation Catalog for ongoing use by project teams as an innovation point rather than a pilot credit.
Requirements
Option 1. Photovoltaic-Ready Design (1 point)
A project team that installs a photovoltaic (PV) system that meets the requirements of EA Credit Renewable Energy is not eligible for this credit. Meet EPA’s solar photovoltaic specifications for a renewable energy–ready home. Provide detailed information about such systems in the homeowner education manual so that future occupants can install an active PV system.OR
Option 2. Solar Direct Hot Water–Ready Design (1 point)
A project team that installs a solar direct hot water (DHW) system that meets the requirements of EA Credit Water Heating is not eligible for this credit. Meet EPA’s solar water heating specifications for a renewable energy–ready home. Provide detailed information about such systems in the homeowner education manual so that future occupants can install an active solar DHW system.General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Credit specific:
- Provide completed Solar Ready checklist(s) and all required support documents
Additional questions:
- Do any items in the solar ready checklists seem unreasonable or unnecessary?
- Would additional resources or training on how to design/install required items be helpful? If so, what specifically would you like to see?
LEED for Homes Review Process
LEED for Homes projects: When complete, submit documentation here.What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
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Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
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Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
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For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.
( does not provide premium access to LEEDuser)
Go premium for just $... » Go premium for just $... » Firm or campus members – click here »Your 15-day free trial expired on
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
This is a pilot credit. To use any pilot credit on your LEED project, be sure to register here. Documentation requirements and additional questions are listed below.
To reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by designing to maximize opportunities for solar design.
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit was closed to new pilot credit registrations on 3/1/2015. It is now available in the LEED Innovation Catalog for ongoing use by project teams as an innovation point rather than a pilot credit.
Requirements
Option 1. Photovoltaic-Ready Design (1 point)
A project team that installs a photovoltaic (PV) system that meets the requirements of EA Credit Renewable Energy is not eligible for this credit. Meet EPA’s solar photovoltaic specifications for a renewable energy–ready home. Provide detailed information about such systems in the homeowner education manual so that future occupants can install an active PV system.OR
Option 2. Solar Direct Hot Water–Ready Design (1 point)
A project team that installs a solar direct hot water (DHW) system that meets the requirements of EA Credit Water Heating is not eligible for this credit. Meet EPA’s solar water heating specifications for a renewable energy–ready home. Provide detailed information about such systems in the homeowner education manual so that future occupants can install an active solar DHW system.General Pilot Documentation Requirements
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Credit specific:
- Provide completed Solar Ready checklist(s) and all required support documents
Additional questions:
- Do any items in the solar ready checklists seem unreasonable or unnecessary?
- Would additional resources or training on how to design/install required items be helpful? If so, what specifically would you like to see?
