I recently worked for a client that had a large roof that just “sat there”. It had a few rooftop units for heating and cooling and that was it. A lot of space not being used at all. To them a roof was just a covering over the building. I first suggested using it for a viewing location for their local 4th of July celebration. It had a great view of the fireworks and with some minor adjustments could be a social gathering venue. But the roof can have many other uses, too. The institute has a small school and it could be a good location for a “green” roof, growing plants. It also has minimal shading from nearby trees and, thus, can be ideal for solar panels.
Focusing on the energy issues, the Global Cool Cities Alliance has developed material summarizing the many benefits of “cool” roofs on large commercial facilities, particularly in urban areas. See: https://globalcoolcities.org/discover/unlock/
The first and easiest step to utilizing your roof to save you energy usage and costs is to make a “cool” roof. This is defined as a roof painted white, silver, light blue or similar light color. We are used to black shingles or coverings on roofs as normal. But, of course, black roofing material absorbs all types of radiation, keeping the energy in the material or right below (inside the building and, particularly, on the top floor). This not only damages the roofing material and potentially portions of the building proper, requiring repair and replacement necessary more often, but also raises the temperature inside the building, raising the demand which your air conditioner system must address, causing more electricity to be used in the summer, when the demand rates are highest. Painting a black roof a light color or if it’s time to replace material, replacing with a light color is a low cost way to save energy costs, up to 20%, depending on the building. Black roofs cause a heat “island”, a high intensity area of very high heat, which can damage roofing material and be unhealthy for people nearby.
It takes more time and effort, but one can also make a roof cool and save energy by planting appropriate vegetation. This seems to go against reasoning. Plants with soil, holding water, may put a strain on your roof (and you should have an experienced, qualified mechanical engineer confirm that your roof can hold vegetation). But vegetation is a location for the Sun’s rays to go and not hit and be retained in your roof or building. Plus, you and occupants have something nice to look at and healthy to eat, as well.
Finally, solar panels to generate electricity (photovoltaic or PV) or to generate hot water for bathrooms and kitchens is now mainstream. Panels are more efficient in converting the Sun’s energy into electricity or warmth and have come down in price. As the industry matures, more and more good, experienced firms are out there to ensure the system works at a reasonable cost. If you can displace some of the electricity you use from the grid with electricity you generate on your roof, that’s a great savings. Most areas can have such solar PV systems installed for no upfront cost (Power Purchase Agreement or PPA requires you to pay a set rate for the electricity the panels produce over time, usually lower than the utility’s rates). In addition, a growing number of states and utilities offer rebates and direct tax incentives as utilities around the country are under pressure to produce and deliver electricity and solar is a way to reduce that pressure. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 has further incentives that even allow non-profits to be able to benefit financially from installing solar on your roof.
Yes, the roof of your building, often ignored, can benefit you in terms of what you offer occupants and to save energy. Research and take advantage of new technologies.
CCES has the experts to help you assess whether you may be a candidate for a “green” or solar PV roof, and bring in and manage experienced vendors in these areas. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.