Replacing dark conventional roofs with more reflective cool roofs has been proposed as a method to lower urban air temperatures. Many meteorological studies have simulated potential cool roof air temperature reductions. However, economic and logistical challenges make it difficult to perform the large-scale demonstrations needed to verify these model results. This work assesses whether a neighborhood-scale cool roof demonstration could yield an observable air temperature change. We use both an idealized theoretical framework and a meteorological model to estimate the air temperature reduction that could be induced by increasing roof albedo over similar to 1 km(2) area of a city. Both the idealized analysis and model indicate that an air temperature reduction could be detected, with the model indicating a reduction of 0.5 degrees C and the idealized analysis indicating a larger reduction of 1.3 degrees C. Follow-on modeling is recommended prior to design of a neighborhood-scale demonstration. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Millstein, D; Levinson, R
Preparatory meteorological modeling and theoretical analysis for a neighborhood-scale cool roof demonstration
Urban Climate