Question
I just installed solar PV on my townhouse. Do I qualify for LEED points?
I would like to make my home LEED certified.
Answer
Sounds like your house is complete and you recently installed solar panels.
Unfortunately, you are not going to be able to get your house certified under the LEED program. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design -- the key word is Design.
- In order to get a home certified to the LEED standard, it must be designed and planned from the beginning of the project.
- The LEED certification begins before construction even starts.
- Green home design requires collaboration from design team, builder, tradespeople and suppliers and is a very integrated process.
Green building and LEED are about a lot more than simply installing renewables like solar panels. There are many other factors to consider -- good thermal envelope, water conservation, indoor air quality, durability, and efficient use of materials.
Some states have Home Performance with Energy Star, which is a certification you can look into for an existing home.
