Applying LEED - Energy Design Resources

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LEED Sustainable Sites

SSc7.1: Heat Island Effect, Non-Roof

The intent of this credit is to reduce the thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped land by implementing highly reflective impervious surfaces or related strategies.

Requirements for Certification:

Option 1 – Combine the following strategies for 50% of site hardscape. Shade (within 5 years of occupancy). Paving materials with a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of at least 29. Open grid pavement system.

Option 2 – Place a minimum of 50% of total parking spaces under cover. Any roof used to cover parking must have an SRI of at least 29.

Successful Strategies:

Replace asphalt with concrete where possible
Plant trees in vegetation strips around parking lots or sidewalks.
Consolidate parking into a parking garage

EDR-Related Resources

Helpful Hints:

In most cases, standard grey concrete complies with minimum SRI credit requirements.
If using a weighted average calculation, specifying white (high reflectance) cement can greatly increase the average reflectivity of your impervious areas. This is a potential cost increase above standard asphalt paving.
In campus applications, check campus standards for acceptable concrete mixes. Light or colored concrete may not be acceptable when matching existing campus site design color schemes.
Pervious pavement is required to meet the same reflectivity standards as other hard surface areas such as concrete.
Shading of non-roof impervious site surfaces is calculated as the mean shade coverage at 10am, noon, and 3pm on June 21.
Do not “double-count” shaded, high-albedo surface areas when completing the credit calculations.

Historical Data (updated June 2006):

61% of all California LEED Certified projects achieved this credit for LEED v2.1.


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