Northeast Ohio, specifically Youngstown, Ohio, has solar lighting being accessed in Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse and in what they call Green Space Project Homes. Green Space Homes constructed traditional homes with energy efficient technology. Mr. Dave Quinlan, a certified geothermal installer held class at one of the homes in 2007 to show how these systems work. His system was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and passed Energy Star Certification and Indoor Air Quality Standards.

One of the houses that were constructed using geothermal materials and solar lighting is The Shades of Green Residence. Methods planned to protect the natural balance of lake and residence called LEED, leadership in energy and environmental design, whose design principles were joined with energy saving framing methods, radiant heat, energy controlling wall systems, thermal mass heater and Loewlyn windows and solar lighting. A residence built to lower fuel bills and decrease carbon emissions, The Carradine Residence, built in a 10kWAbundant Renewable Energy wind turbine.
The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was built using LEED design and energy saving technology by the General Services Administration. The LEED certification was granted by the U.S. Green Building Council for a building on a city brownfield location. Using LEED certification requirements, The General Services Administration Construction Excellence Program also used solar lighting, reflective heating and a concrete parking lot to resist heat buildup effect.
LEED certification is a global standard for predicting a building’s long term existence. In the United States it is sponsored by the United States Green Building Council based in Washington D.C. as a non-profit building association. Builders who agree to work for LEED certification have third party access to a vigorous commission whose mission is to build structures that produce the least possible negative impact on the environment. This project to encouage builders to plan and execute energy saving projects is also under the guidance of the National Resources Defense Council.
The city of Youngstown has many talented and innovative builders. They hoped that by getting LEED certification on these Green Homes following the LEED design of the Federal Building would encourage media coverage and allow the economy of Youngstown, Ohio, to profit through increased building contracts.
All of the homes that were built following LEED certification principles are wonderful structures that look to neighbors and passer by viewers as tradional homes. Only an expert in solar lighting and energy saving measures would recognize the eco- friendly and preserving technology that was built-in to these new houses.