Can a school project earn exemplary performance for SS credit-light pollution reduction by shielding all exterior fixtures in order to avoid emitting light at a vertical angle more than 90 degrees from straight down?

To determine whether a school project can earn exemplary performance for the Light Pollution Reduction credit in the Sustainable Sites category by shielding exterior fixtures to avoid emitting light at a vertical angle greater than 90 degrees from straight down, it’s important to reference the requirements for earning exemplary performance.

Exemplary performance in this context requires not just a general compliance with the light pollution requirements but must exceed the standard criteria established by LEED. While shielding exterior fixtures is a step in the right direction towards improving light pollution reduction, simply preventing light from being emitted at a vertical angle over 90 degrees from straight down does not automatically qualify a project for exemplary performance. Additional considerations, such as achieving a specific performance threshold or implementing advanced strategies, typically need to be met in relation to light trespass limits or the total amount of installed exterior lighting.

Therefore, a school project cannot achieve exemplary performance for the Light Pollution Reduction credit merely by adhering to the described shielding measure; it requires a more comprehensive approach to minimize light pollution based on established LEED guidelines.