How LEED Solar Supports Green Building Certification

Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S., driving companies and organizations to invest in green buildings to reduce costs and stand out in the market. Installing an on-site solar system is a powerful way to demonstrate a commitment to clean energy while earning points toward LEED solar certification.

As of 2024, there are over 105,000 LEED-certified projects across more than 180 countries, spanning every continent except Antarctica. These include more than 250 airports, 680,000 residential units, and several of the world’s tallest buildings. Iconic LEED solar projects include the Willis Tower in Chicago (LEED Gold), TAIPEI 101 in Taiwan (LEED Platinum), the Empire State Building in New York (LEED Gold), and Shanghai Tower in China (LEED Platinum).

For clean energy professionals, understanding how this leading green building certification works, which building types qualify, and the role LEED solar plays in the certification process is valuable. Collaborating with architects, engineers, builders, and property owners also presents a strong marketing opportunity to grow your business in the expanding sustainable construction industry.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world's most widely used green building certification program, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This certification is available for almost all building types and offers a framework for resource-efficient, healthy buildings with lower operating costs and improved indoor environmental quality.

LEED standards were first introduced in 1994, with several updates since. As of early 2025, LEED v4 remains the current version in use. However, the USGBC has been developing LEED v5, with public comment periods held throughout 2024. The final version of LEED v5 is expected to be officially released later in 2025.

The five main categories for LEED project types are:

• Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

• Interior Design and Construction

• Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

• Neighborhood Development

• Homes

To achieve LEED certification, projects must meet specific prerequisites, earn points across various sustainability categories, and pay certification fees. This holistic approach addresses multiple aspects of sustainable design, including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, transportation, sustainable materials, human health, and indoor air quality. Points are awarded in different categories for meeting specific criteria.

Green buildings qualify for different levels of certification depending on the number of points they earn:

• Platinum: 80+ points

• Gold: 60 to 79 points

• Silver: 50 to 59 points

• Certified: 40 to 49 points

LEED Certification Requirements

LEED credits for new construction fall into various categories that address sustainability topics, including reducing energy use, accessibility to public transportation, and the embodied energy associated with construction materials.

Some other considerations include:

• Energy and atmosphere: These elements can directly reduce energy use or address systems that rely on low-carbon energy sources. It also recognizes the use of renewable energy, including the procurement of off-site renewable power.

• Location and transportation: This category encourages new buildings to improve land-use patterns and encourage occupants to use public transportation instead of single-passenger vehicles.

• Materials and resources: These address the building's embodied carbon in the materials and products used throughout the life cycle of the building by examining their extraction, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life disposal.

• Water efficiency: These credits address water conservation and ways to reduce the use of potable water, such as using nonpotable water sources. Reducing water use also mitigates greenhouse gas emissions because it indirectly reduces the water use associated with transporting and treating water.

• Sustainable sites: This category addresses the nonenergy-related drivers of climate change. Sustainable solutions relate to land use, mitigating the heat island effect, and diligent building location and siting.

By contrast, LEED Operations and Maintenance (O+M) is for existing buildings and interiors. Therefore, it focuses on the project's operations and maintenance. The building must have been in use for at least one year, and the project may or may not be undergoing improvements and renovation work. Therefore, LEED points are based on performance.

Using LEED Solar to Meet Certification Requirements

Solar installations can significantly contribute to achieving LEED certification by addressing multiple credit categories within the LEED rating system. Here’s how solar installations help meet LEED certification requirements:

LEED solar installations play a crucial role in earning points across multiple credit categories in the LEED rating system. Here’s how solar contributes to LEED certification:

1. Energy and Atmosphere (EA)

   • Optimize Energy Performance (EA Credit): LEED solar installations improve energy efficiency by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy, directly increasing a building’s energy performance score.

   • Renewable Energy Production (EA Credit): Solar panels generate on-site renewable energy, helping meet LEED’s Renewable Energy Production credit. Points are awarded based on the percentage of energy offset by solar.

     
     

2. Sustainable Sites (SS)

   • Heat Island Reduction (SS Credit): Solar panels, particularly on rooftops or parking canopies, contribute to heat island mitigation by providing shade and reducing surface heat absorption.

     
     

3. Innovation (IN)

   • Innovation in Design (IN Credit): Unique solar applications, such as solar-integrated building materials or advanced solar-powered building systems, can earn Innovation points in the LEED rating system.

     
     

4. Location and Transportation (LT)

   • Reduced Parking Footprint (LT Credit): Solar carports help reduce parking footprints while integrating EV charging and providing shaded parking, supporting sustainability goals.

     
     

5. Materials and Resources (MR)

   • Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction (MR Credit): LEED solar installations lower a building’s long-term carbon footprint by generating clean energy, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and supporting sustainable building operations.

Benefits Of Meeting LEED Certification Requirements

Many corporations and cities aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable buildings play a key role in cutting operational climate impacts. LEED certification provides a clear way to showcase climate-friendly buildings, making it especially attractive for companies, organizations, and municipalities with net-zero goals.

LEED-certified buildings are often more cost-effective to operate, with lower energy and water bills, while also prioritizing human health and occupant comfort. These benefits make them appealing to tenants seeking eco-friendly residential, office, and retail spaces.

From a marketing perspective, meeting LEED certification requirements enhances brand reputation. Many organizations promote their LEED-certified buildings in marketing materials, often gaining media attention. Some even offer tours to highlight their sustainable features, further reinforcing their commitment to environmental responsibility.

LEED For Solar Installers

The U.S. Green Building Council offers accreditation for professionals to demonstrate expertise in the LEED rating system. For solar installers, earning LEED credentials can set you apart from competitors, especially when working with clients on LEED solar projects.

Obtaining LEED credentials is a way to advance your career and requires passing a written exam and paying a fee. Prior experience working on a LEED-certified project is recommended but not required. The LEED exams are available at testing sites or at home with a remote proctored online test. You must receive a minimum score of 170 out of 200 to pass.

LEED Credentials for Solar Professionals

• LEED Green Associate: These professionals demonstrate core competency by passing an exam that measures general knowledge of green building concepts. This knowledge helps support others working on LEED-certified projects and is ideal for professionals new to green building.

• LEED Accredited Professional (AP) with Specialty: This advanced professional credential signifies expertise in green building and an understanding of the LEED green building rating system. Candidates must first pass the LEED Green Associate exam to become a LEED AP with a specialty.

The LEED AP with Specialty credential is ideal for professionals actively working on LEED solar and other green building projects. Maintaining LEED accreditation requires completing continuing education hours every two years.

As a LEED professional, you must also take steps to maintain your credentials with continuing education hours within two years of earning your credentials.

LEED Solar: A Win for Clients, Installers, and the Planet

LEED is the leading green building certification, and understanding it can give solar installers an edge when working with clients pursuing certification. By specializing in LEED solar, you can better support projects that integrate renewable energy.

For those looking to showcase their expertise, earning a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credential can enhance credibility and open doors to new opportunities. Working on LEED solar projects also serves as a powerful networking tool, helping installers connect with clients focused on sustainability and generate high-quality solar leads.

Are you working on a LEED solar project? Partner with GreenLancer to help promote project success! We can assist with anything from solar permit design to obtaining solar engineering stamps.