Remember, LEED is about the DOLLARS saved. So, if you for instance have solar energy, and you are in a location that has programs that buy green power at an inflated rate, make sure you sell the green power instead of using it!

For instance, if 1 kw-hr of power-plant electricity costs 10 cents, but the utility company will pay 30 cents per kw-hr for solar energy, a solar plant that produces 1/3 of the buildings power could completely offset the buildings cost.

Does this sound a like cheating? It is not! USGBC uses this method to get many of its buildings a platinum rating!!!!