a t i o n a l for
G r i dApplicants
a n d E v e r s o u and
r c e Lighting Practitioners
A NGuide
V4-20150202
Sustainable Office Design (SOD) is different than existing programs
 The new SOD Lighting
Initiative offer incentives
for well-thought out,
controls-rich lighting
solutions.
 SOD qualifying designs
The SOD Lighting Program does
not dictate specific products or
technologies. A target level of
performance must be met, but
the means of doing is not
prescribed.
A lighting practitioner may use
this guide to design an effective
system for a specific project that
use sophisticated lighting
controls overlaid on
efficient, low-installed
wattage lighting plans.
 The effective Lighting
Power Density (LPD) of
SOD-qualifying installations
are significantly
below code maximums and
will contribute toward
LEED and Energy Star
Certification in buildings
that have them.
STEP 1:
Organize the planned space into commonly used space types as found
in this guide.
STEP 2:
Select lighting fixtures and layouts that deliver appropriate lighting
levels and quality to the space while staying close to the LPD target
for that space type. Refer to space-specific suggestions in this guide if
needed. Additional lighting design information can be found at:
https://algonline.org/
STEP 3:
Select control components and technologies that meet the minimum
performance characteristics found for that space type in this guide.
Work with manufacturer’s latest technical guidance to specify specific
controls and determine optimum layouts.
STEP 4:
Compare the as-designed LPD and as-designed number of control
points with SOD Lighting Incentive requirements. If satisfied, complete an application form.
Inside this Guide:
Step One
2
Step Two
2
Step three
3
Open Offices
4
Private Offices
5
Meeting Rooms
6
Circulation Spaces
7
Reception areas
7
Program Requirements
8
STEP 1:
Organize the leased area into
commonly used office space
types prior to selecting lighting
fixtures and controls.
A Guide for Lighting Practitioners and Applicants
Best practices guidance offered here targets both lighting power density (LPD) and control parameters for
distinct space uses.
Six space types make up the majority of
space use in the modern office, and offer
the greatest energy saving opportunities…..
OPEN offices have a
target lighting power
density of 0.6 w/sf
STEP 2:
Select lighting fixtures and
layouts that deliver appropriate
lighting levels and quality to the
space while staying close to the
LPD target for that space type.
Assign specific lighting design patterns to the common space types,
such as open offices areas, private offices, meeting and conference
rooms, and other space uses found within the typical business
office.

Open Office space will occupy more than 40% of the floor area
of a SOD qualifying installation. Both Interior Open Offices and
Daylit Open Office (perimeter exposure or below skylights)
plans qualify.

Private offices should be grouped into large (greater than 300
sf) and regular categories.

Each size range has its own recommended lighting design patterns
and lighting control requirements.
Select lighting solutions for each space type
Advances in lighting
technology make low
LPD designs possible.
Areas within 15 ft. of windows will have
day-lighting controls
Private offices placed on
the perimeter should
have daylight dimming
capability
Recessed luminaires are most
appropriate for open plan spaces
with ceilings 8'4" or lower, since
they do not illuminate the ceilings and have a greater potential
for high angle glare. Suspended
luminaires provide better quality
for open plan ceiling heights
above 8'-4".
Page 2
Solid State Lighting using LEDs as a
light source are now found in
almost every fixture type in all the
major manufacturer’s lines. This
technology is directly competing
with fluorescent systems.
Particularly attractive is the low
incremental cost at which
manufactures can provide of full
dimming capability and integrate
fixture mounted control sensors.
Suspended linear fixtures are available
with both high-efficiency fluorescent
and LED sources
Design lighting for each space type at or below the following LPD guidelines
Space Type
LPD
(W/sf)
Open Offices
0.6
Notes
fC (horizontal)
Shared workspace with open desks or less than 48 inch high cubical partitions. Maximum 2,500 SF per control area
30-50 fC
Private Offices
0.7
Private, enclosed office with one primary occupant
Small Meeting Rooms
0.9
Workroom with area < 300 SF
Conference Rooms
1.1
Workroom with area > 300 SF and multipurpose lighting
Corridors
0.5
10-20 fC
Lobbies and Reception Areas
1
5-20 fC
Copy, File and Work Rooms
0.7
20-50 fC
30-50 fC
20-70 fC
20-70 fC
Foot-Candle illumination levels based on information gathered from the IES ‘The Lighting Handbook’ 10th Edition
STEP 3:
Select control components and technologies that meet the minimum
performance characteristics found for that space type in this guide.
Office-Space Type
Open Office
Open Office Daylit Zone
Private Offices (< 300 SF in size)
Large Private Offices (> 300 SF in size)
Conference and Training Rooms < 300 SF
Conference or Training >300 SF
Corridors
Copy, File and Work Rooms
Reception, Lobby and Waiting
Storerooms
Employee Break-rooms
SOD
Control Category
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
K
O
P
Pair space types with controls
Matching a lighting control categories with assigned space
types, such as open offices areas, private offices, meeting and
conference rooms, and other commonly found spaces within the
typical business office, guides the applicant to appropriate
STEP 4:
Digitally addressable
control products operating
on wireless networks
extend room lighting
controls to the desktop
and conference table.
Compare the as-designed LPD and as-designed number
of control points with SOD Lighting Incentive
requirements. If satisfied, complete an application
form.
Occupancy Sensors
Auto ON/Auto OFF
activation wall mounted
Occupancy sensors with
dual relays provide
control of two lighting
circuits or two lighting
levels.
Use the best control technologies
Consider digital lighting control, which enables remote
programming while providing other advantages such as
energy reporting and diagnostics and simple future integration of additional control strategies.
Fixture mounted sensors and digital controls can simplify
installation. An integrated control scheme using smart
fixtures incorporating networked (wireless or wired)
controls is an acceptable and recommended alternate to
localized low voltage control of line voltage loads. Control can be provided by Independent, stand-alone lowvoltage sensors and relays using Class 2 wiring.
Page 3
Open offices have a target
average horizontal lighting
level of 30-35 foot-candles,
with 45-75 fC on the
A Guide for Lighting Practitioners and Applicants
Open Offices
Use a LPD target of 0.6 W/sf for open offices
work surfaces
A—Indirect/direct suspended fixtures or
high-efficiency recessed provide the
ambient illumination in work areas.
B
D
B—Fixtures specified with continuous
dimming down to 10% or lower of full
output. These fixtures are used for
daylight harvesting, are capable of
reducing electric light in response to the
availability of natural light, and are
controlled by photosensors.
C
A
C—Fixtures used for ambient lighting in
circulation zones.
D—Task lights supplement the ambient
lighting for any employee who simply
SOD Lighting Plans go beyond the
desires more light.
following typical Code
Requirement (2012 IECC)
 Manual control of two lighting
loads to allow reasonably
uniform min 50% reduction in
connected load
 Lighting in daylit zones
controlled separately from
general lighting, with stepped or
continuous
dimming to minimum 35%.
Keep office cubicle partitions low to allow
for greatest efficiency and most comfortable
light levels.
Use Control Category A
in interior Open Offices
Use Control Category B
in day-lit Open Offices
 Manual control of two
 Manual control of two
lighting loads to allow
reasonably uniform 50%
reduction in connected load
 Dual Technology Zoned
occupancy controls
 Automated after hours shut
off from time-clock or BMC
system
 Automated shut off from timeclock or building management
control after hours
lighting loads to allow
reasonably uniform 50%
reduction in connected load
 Dual Technology Zoned
occupancy controls
 Photosensors for 0-10 VDC
electronic dimming in day-lit
zones to minimum 20%
 Automated after hours shut
off from time-clock or BMC
system
 Occupancy sensors not required
Use Control
Category B
Products
Major manufacturers provide design guidance for the use of automated controls, including line voltage, low
voltage and wired and wireless digital controls. Integrated digital control systems take advantage of new
digital (LED) lighting and ‘network ready’ lighting products.
Conventional lighting can be controlled with stand-alone sensors (with necessary control packs) such as
SensorSwitch CM-ADC-DZ series with CM-ADC series photosensors, Wattstopper DT-300/DT-305 series with
LightSaver LS-301 series photosensors, Cooper OAC-DT-1000-MV series with Greengate DLC-PD-DIM series
photosensors.
Page 4
For Daylit Open Office
within 15 feet of
windows or below
skylights
A
A Guide for Lighting Practitioners and Applicants
Private Offices
Private office lighting needs to
balance the brightness of the room
surfaces as well as providing multilevel illumination. This variation
allows for personal needs and
increased energy savings. Vacancy
sensors are a minimum control
strategy.
A—Indirect/direct suspended or
recessed fixtures are used for
ambient lighting
B—Task lights located on the
desktop supplement the ambient
lighting for anyone who desires
more light
C—Wall washers and down-lights
for secondary use areas
A
C
Private offices with high ceilings and
windows can use suspended Indirect/
Direct luminaires that illuminate the
ceilings and walls as well as the desk
area, providing a visually balanced
and comfortable workplace.
Adjustable desk lights are used to
supplement illumination for tasks,
and give users personal control and
increased satisfaction.
SOD Lighting Plans go beyond the
following typical Code
Requirement (2012 IECC)
Use Control Category C
in Small Private Offices
Use Control Category D
in larger day-lit Offices
 Manual control of two
 Lights controlled with Auto
 Lights are controlled with
lighting loads to allow
reasonably uniform min 50%
reduction in connected load,
OR an occupancy sensor
 Automated shut off from
Private offices have a target
average horizontal lighting
level of 30-35
foot-candles, with
45-75 fC on the work surfaces.
Use a LPD target of 0.6 W/sf for
private offices
time-clock or building
management control after
hours
ON/Auto OFF activation with
Dual-Technology wall
mounted occupancy sensor
 Combined vacancy and
minimum 2 light levels.
Fixtures use 0-10v dimming
(LED) or a step-dimmed
ballast
 Occupancy sensed control of
at least one duplex power
receptacle is recommended
but not required.
.
Manual ON/Auto OFF
activation via wall or ceiling
mounted dual technology
occupancy sensor
 Primary fixtures have
dimming LED drivers or
fluorescent ballasts. Manual
dimming provides choice to
occupant
 Photosensors slowly reduce
or cut off the use of electric
lighting as natural light enters
the space
 Occupancy sensed control of
Products
Daylighting
Integrated digital control systems offer the most flexibility and can take advantage of new digital
(LED) lighting and ‘network ready’ lighting products. More conventional lighting can be controlled
with stand-alone sensors (with necessary control packs) such as:
Although locating private offices on the
interior and open-plan offices at building
perimeter is a better strategy for daylight
harvesting controls, daylighting controls
should still be considered for private offices
with perimeter windows.
SensorSwitch WSD-PDT-2P series, Wattstopper DW-200 series, Cooper ONW-D-1001-DMV series and
0-10 VDC electronic dimming -wallbox control (if dimmable fixtures used ).
Page 5
A Guide for Lighting Practitioners and Applicants
Meeting Rooms and Conference Rooms
Design Criteria
Flexibility, glare control,
and visual comfort are
high priorities for interior
meeting/conferencing
environments.
B
C
B—Indirect/direct suspended luminaire, used for ambient lighting and
dimmable, down to 1% of full output for audio/visual purposes.
Use a LPD target of 0.9 to 1.1 W/sf
for meeting and conference rooms
C—wallwasher, recessed above the ceiling with reflector and shield,
oriented toward the walls to spread the light uniformly.
Meeting rooms have a
target Horizontal
SOD Lighting Plans go beyond the
following typical Code
Requirement (2012 IECC)
Use Control Category E
in Interior Small
Meeting Rooms
 Manual control of two
 Lights controlled with Auto
Use Control Category F
in larger Conference
Rooms
Illuminance (average
maintained footcandles)
on the work surface of
45-55 fc for paper task
performance. Vertical
illuminance of 20-30 fc
should be provided on
selected display walls
lighting loads to allow
reasonably uniform min 50%
reduction in connected load,
OR an occupancy sensor
 Automated shut off from
time-clock or building
management control after
hours
ON/Auto OFF activation with
Dual-Technology wall
mounted occupancy sensor.
 Combined vacancy and
minimum 2 light levels.
Fixtures use 0-10v dimming
(LED) or a step-dimmed
ballast.
 Occupancy sensed control of
at least one duplex power
receptacle is recommended
but not required.

Combined vacancy and
minimum 2 light levels

Multi-level or multi-circuit
switching enables occupants a
choice of various light levels.
Switch perimeter fixtures separately.

General, wall and AV wall
lighting separately zoned and
controlled using manual dimmers or preset integrated dimmer Lights are controlled with
Manual ON/Auto OFF activation
via ceiling mounted dual
technology occupancy sensor.

Products
Integrated digital control systems offer the most flexibility and can take advantage of new digital (LED)
lighting and ‘network ready’ lighting products. More conventional lighting can be controlled with standalone sensors (with necessary control packs) such as:
Fixtures use dimming LED
drivers or fluorescent ballasts to
allow varying light levels .
Photosensors slowly reduce
or cut off the use of electric
Sensor Switch CM-10, Wattstopper CI-305, Cooper VAC-P series, with low-voltage switch
Manufacturer’s guidelines and literature should be checked before final specification of products
Page 6
A Guide for Lighting Practitioners and Applicants
Reception Areas and General Circulation
A—Recessed high-efficiency linear
architectural troffers along cross corridors.
B—Recessed high-efficiency architectural
troffers over primary work surfaces.
C—Recessed LED wall washers and downlights at areas of interest and for general
ambient lighting.
SOD Lighting Plans go beyond the
following typical Code
Requirement (2012 IECC)
Use Control Category G
in circulation
Use Control Category K
in Reception Areas




Meeting rooms have a
target Horizontal
Illuminance (average
maintained footcandles)

Manual control by occupant
Display and accent lighting
be separately controlled
from other lighting in the
space
Automated shut off from
time-clock or building management control after
hours


Lights controlled with Auto
ON/Auto OFF activation via
wall or ceiling mounted
occupancy sensor with
infrared and ultrasonic
sensors (dual-tech).
Occupancy sensor control.
Auto on to 100% level.
In corridors and stairwells
requiring security lighting,
occupancy sensor brings
lighting from 50% to 100%.


Lights controlled with Auto
ON/Auto OFF activation via
wall or ceiling mounted
occupancy sensor with
infrared and ultrasonic
sensors (dual-tech).
Occupancy sensor control Auto on to 100% level.
Display and accent lighting
be separately controlled
from other lighting in the
space.
on the work surface of
45-55 fc for paper task
performance. Vertical
illuminance of 20-30 fc
should be provided on
Products
Integrated digital control systems offer the most flexibility and can take advantage of new digital (LED)
lighting and ‘network ready’ lighting products. More conventional lighting can be controlled with standalone sensors (with necessary control packs) such as:
Sensor Switch CM-10, Wattstopper CI-305, Cooper VAC-P series, with low-voltage switch
Manufacturer’s guidelines and literature should be checked before final specification of products
Page 7
National Grid and Eversource are introducing a new product in their New Construction portfolio called Sustainable Office Design (S.O.D.) as a means of delivering
integrated technical solutions to the leased commercial office market. The goal is to increase penetration of utility‐delivered savings in the leased office Tenant
Improvement (TI) sector. Strategic elements of the new OTF program are:

Obtain better savings by moving beyond simple prescriptive lamp and ballast approaches to system‐based/integrated design solutions.

Better service this market sector with newly crafted initiatives aligned to the idiosyncrasies of the Building Management / Tenant Improvement market.

Offer a predictable incentive at $1.00 per sq/ft of leased space (net of common areas).

Develop a simplified qualification and application process leveraging documentation common to commercial tenant fit-up construction processes.
Program Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
All projects qualifying for this program must:
1.
How is the rebate calculated?
Qualifying projects receiving an incentive of $1.00 per square foot, in controlled,
conditioned interior spaces. 100% of the incentive will be paid after project occupancy.
2.
What are the basic project qualifications?
The project must be at least 7,500 square feet. At least one (1) lighting control point
must be provided for every 290 square feet of space. The project must achieve a
lighting power density (LPD) not greater than 0.675 W/SF.
3.
When calculating the 7,500 SF threshold, can this include connecting corridors and
common areas if they are included in a lighting upgrade with a TI work?
The SOD lighting applies only to individual tenant spaces. Common areas, building
lobbies and corridors between discrete tenants can not be used as part of the qualifying square footage nor is that square footage eligible for the SOD incentive.
4.
How is the minimum area square footage (SF) verified?
SF (area square footage) is verified by examination of a signed COMcheck report.
5.
Does qualifying for Sustainable Office Design Lighting incentives make me eligible for
other lighting incentives?
Projects that are eligible for this incentive program are not eligible for other prescriptive lighting incentives that support ballasts, occupancy sensors, photocells and time
clocks.
6.
Are exterior lighting projects eligible?
No, exterior lighting systems are not eligible for this program. Qualifying projects must
be in controlled, conditioned interior spaces.
7.
Are LED lighting technologies eligible for this program?
Yes, as long as the LED fixtures meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® or Design Lights Consortium (DLC) technical requirements and are installed in conjunction with the program’s
qualifications. Other LED products should be discussed with your utility representative
before use.
8.
Where can I find a list of approved products?
There is no requirement that specific products be used. A list of recommended products can be found at the program webpage. Please note: National Grid and Eversource
do not endorse any particular manufacturers and encourages our customers to meet
with different representatives to determine which system best meets their needs.
 Be a code-dependent office fit-out project or extensive/
substantial renovation project that consists of the installation
of new fixtures throughout the building or renovated spaces.
 Provide maintained lighting levels in accordance with the
recommendations of the Illuminating Engineering Society of
North America’s (IESNA) 10th Edition Handbook or supporting Design Guides.
 Provide high quality lighting achieving appropriate levels of
glare control, color rendering, lighting uniformity and other
lighting quality parameters.
 Meet all requirements as specified in this application document.
 LED products should meet or exceed ENERGY
STAR® or Design Lights Consortium (DLC) technical requirements. Those that are not Energy Star or DLC rated should
be discussed with your utility representative .
 Projects must meet current state and local energy code requirements.
Contact Us
Kim Cullinane
Eversource, Program Manager Energy Efficiency Services
kim.cullinane@eversource.com
Tracey Beckstrom
National Grid, Lead Commercial Sales New Construction
tracey.beckstrom@nationalgrid.com
Development of the Sustainable Office Design Lighting Program has been supported
by the work of Waypoint Building Group and Weller & Michal Architects.