Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes
This research study aimed to investigate the influences of angular-selective retro-reflective (AS-RR) and retro-reflective (RR) materials on the urban equivalent albedo (α<sub>eq</sub>). Full ray tracing solar analyses were conducted through the Monte Carlo-based numerical model validate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/10/1335 |
| _version_ | 1797515272360296448 |
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| author | Mattia Manni Andrea Nicolini |
| author_facet | Mattia Manni Andrea Nicolini |
| author_sort | Mattia Manni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This research study aimed to investigate the influences of angular-selective retro-reflective (AS-RR) and retro-reflective (RR) materials on the urban equivalent albedo (α<sub>eq</sub>). Full ray tracing solar analyses were conducted through the Monte Carlo-based numerical model validated in a previous work. Different geometry scenarios with different patterns of urban density were modelled. AS-RR and RR materials were alternately applied to the street and to the most irradiated façade. AS-RR materials were proposed to enhance the α<sub>eq</sub> of the urban environment particularly during summer. Solar analyses were reiterated for three latitudes (i.e., Oslo, Milan, Cairo). RR pavements and façades were capable of increasing the α<sub>eq</sub> throughout the year. However, implementing an angular-selective behavior allowed for a reduction of the mitigation potential of RR materials during the winter season. In their best application, RR and AS-RR materials enabled higher α<sub>eq</sub> in summer (122%) with negligible effects during the winter (7%). Finally, the study highlighted the need for exploiting numerical models capable of conducting full ray tracing solar analyses when investigating materials whose optical properties depend on the angle of incidence of the sunrays (such as RR materials). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:43:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2645fb1e0d3a4b28a98895b38d1165f5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:43:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-2645fb1e0d3a4b28a98895b38d1165f52023-11-22T17:26:00ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-10-011210133510.3390/atmos12101335Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various LatitudesMattia Manni0Andrea Nicolini1CIRIAF—Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment “Mauro Felli”, 06125 Perugia, ItalyCIRIAF—Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment “Mauro Felli”, 06125 Perugia, ItalyThis research study aimed to investigate the influences of angular-selective retro-reflective (AS-RR) and retro-reflective (RR) materials on the urban equivalent albedo (α<sub>eq</sub>). Full ray tracing solar analyses were conducted through the Monte Carlo-based numerical model validated in a previous work. Different geometry scenarios with different patterns of urban density were modelled. AS-RR and RR materials were alternately applied to the street and to the most irradiated façade. AS-RR materials were proposed to enhance the α<sub>eq</sub> of the urban environment particularly during summer. Solar analyses were reiterated for three latitudes (i.e., Oslo, Milan, Cairo). RR pavements and façades were capable of increasing the α<sub>eq</sub> throughout the year. However, implementing an angular-selective behavior allowed for a reduction of the mitigation potential of RR materials during the winter season. In their best application, RR and AS-RR materials enabled higher α<sub>eq</sub> in summer (122%) with negligible effects during the winter (7%). Finally, the study highlighted the need for exploiting numerical models capable of conducting full ray tracing solar analyses when investigating materials whose optical properties depend on the angle of incidence of the sunrays (such as RR materials).https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/10/1335retro-reflective materialssolar analysesurban canyon model |
| spellingShingle | Mattia Manni Andrea Nicolini Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes Atmosphere retro-reflective materials solar analyses urban canyon model |
| title | Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes |
| title_full | Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes |
| title_fullStr | Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes |
| title_short | Optimized Cool Coatings as a Strategy to Improve Urban Equivalent Albedo at Various Latitudes |
| title_sort | optimized cool coatings as a strategy to improve urban equivalent albedo at various latitudes |
| topic | retro-reflective materials solar analyses urban canyon model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/10/1335 |
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