Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs

Bretz, S; Akbari, H; Rosenfeld, A; Taha, H

doi:10.2172/10172670

Title: Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs

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Abstract

This report focuses on implementation issues for using solar-reflective surfaces to cool urban heat islands, with specific examples for Sacramento, California. Advantages of solar-reflective surfaces for reducing energy use are: (1) they are cost-effective if albedo is increased during routine maintenance; (2) the energy savings coincide with peak demand for power; (3) there are positive effects on environmental quality; and (4) the white materials have a long service life. Important considerations when choosing materials for mitigating heat islands are identified as albedo, emissivity, durability, cost, pollution and appearance. There is a potential for increasing urban albedo in Sacramento by an additional 18%. Of residential roofs, we estimate that asphalt shingle and modified bitumen cover the largest area, and that built-up roofing and modified bitumen cover the largest area of commercial buildings. For all of these roof types, albedo may be increased at the time of re-roofing without any additional cost. When a roof is repaired, a solar-reflective roof coating may be applied to significantly increase albedo and extend the life of the root Although a coating may be cost-effective if applied to a new roof following installation or to an older roof following repair, it is not cost-effective if themore »« less

Authors:: Bretz, S; Akbari, H; Rosenfeld, A; Taha, H

Publication Date:: 1992-06-01

Research Org.:: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: California Inst. for Energy Efficiency, Berkeley, CA (United States)

OSTI Identifier:: 10172670

Report Number(s):: LBL-32467
ON: DE93016716

DOE Contract Number:: AC03-76SF00098

Resource Type:: Technical Report

Resource Relation:: Other Information: PBD: Jun 1992

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; ROOFS; REFLECTIVE COATINGS; SOLAR RADIATION; REFLECTION; ALBEDO; REFLECTIVITY; ASPHALTS; CONCRETES; COLOR; EMISSIVITY; COST; FINANCIAL INCENTIVES; COST RECOVERY; ENERGY CONSERVATION; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; CALIFORNIA; URBAN AREAS; COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS; RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS; BITUMENS; BUILDING MATERIALS; 320107; 360606; BUILDING SYSTEMS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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                    Bretz, S, Akbari, H, Rosenfeld, A, and Taha, H. Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs.  United States: N. p., 1992. 
        Web.  doi:10.2172/10172670.

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                    Bretz, S, Akbari, H, Rosenfeld, A, & Taha, H. Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.2172/10172670

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                    Bretz, S, Akbari, H, Rosenfeld, A, and Taha, H. 1992.  
        "Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.2172/10172670.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10172670.

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@article{osti_10172670,

  title        = {Implementation of solar-reflective surfaces: Materials and utility programs},

  author       = {Bretz, S and Akbari, H and Rosenfeld, A and Taha, H},

  abstractNote = {This report focuses on implementation issues for using solar-reflective surfaces to cool urban heat islands, with specific examples for Sacramento, California. Advantages of solar-reflective surfaces for reducing energy use are: (1) they are cost-effective if albedo is increased during routine maintenance; (2) the energy savings coincide with peak demand for power; (3) there are positive effects on environmental quality; and (4) the white materials have a long service life. Important considerations when choosing materials for mitigating heat islands are identified as albedo, emissivity, durability, cost, pollution and appearance. There is a potential for increasing urban albedo in Sacramento by an additional 18%. Of residential roofs, we estimate that asphalt shingle and modified bitumen cover the largest area, and that built-up roofing and modified bitumen cover the largest area of commercial buildings. For all of these roof types, albedo may be increased at the time of re-roofing without any additional cost. When a roof is repaired, a solar-reflective roof coating may be applied to significantly increase albedo and extend the life of the root Although a coating may be cost-effective if applied to a new roof following installation or to an older roof following repair, it is not cost-effective if the coating is applied only to save energy. Solar-reflective pavement may be cost-effective if the albedo change is included in the routine resurfacing schedule. Cost-effective options for producing light-colored pavement may include: (1) asphalt concrete, if white aggregate is locally available; (2) concrete overlays; and (3) newly developed white binders and aggregate. Another option may be hot-rolled asphalt, with white chippings. Utilities could promote solar-reflective surfaces through advertisement, educational programs and cost-sharing of road resurfacing.},

  doi          = {10.2172/10172670},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/10172670},
  journal      = {},
number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {1992},

  month        = {6}

}

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