Erin Roth’s Comps Presentation
Monday, January 25th
8:30 am in Olin 101
Energy-Harnessing Roofs
Roofs made of vegetation, also known as green roofs, are gaining attention as a form of sustainable architecture. In this talk, I will explore the physics of a single impact of the green roof—its altered microclimate. I will start by reviewing the physics of transpiration, which is one of the cooling mechanisms of a green roof. Next, I will review how roof surface temperatures impact heat flow through roofs. Finally, I will introduce a new form of sustainable roofing, known as green roof integrated photovoltaics, that have been motivated in part by the reduced surface temperatures of green roofs.