Cool Roof

Cool Roof

Reflective surfaces are articially altered surfaces that can deliver high solar reflectance (the ability to reflect the visible, infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of the sun, reducing heat transfer to the surface) and high thermal emittance (the ability to radiate absorbed, or non-reflected solar energy). Reflective surfaces are a form of geoengineering.

The most well-known type of reflective surface is the cool roof. While it is true that cool roofs are mostly associated with white roofs, they come in a variety of colors and materials and are available for both commercial and residential buildings. Note that today's "cool roof" pigments allow metal roofing products to be EnergyStar rated in dark colors, even black. They aren't as reflective as whites or light colors, but can still save energy over other paints.

Solar reflective cars or cool cars reflect more sunlight than dark cars, reducing the amount of heat that is transmitted into the car’s interior. Therefore, it helps decreasing the need for air conditioning, fuel consumption, and emissions of greenhouse gases and urban air pollutants.

In California, over 95% of the cars and small trucks are equipped with air conditioners, burning fossil fuels and producing greenhouse gas emissions. The Heat Island Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) conducted the cool cars project since 2010, sponsored by the California Energy Commission (CEC), with the goal of reducing air conditioning usage of cars by lowering cabin air temperatures.

Cool color parkings are parkings made with a reflective layer of paint. The project is being undertaken by Jordan Woods of the Berkeley Lab.