Analysis of the green roofs cooling potential in buildings

This paper presents a mathematical model yielding a sensible, albeit simplified representation of the dynamic thermal behaviour of actual green roofs. Several parametric sensitivity analyses have been carried out to assess the cooling potential of green roofs in summer. The main conclusion of these analyses is that green roofs do not act as cooling devices but as insulation ones, reducing the heat flux through the roof. A relatively small set of parameters have been identified as relevant for green roof design: the leaf area index (LAI) and the foliage geometrical characteristics, the soil apparent density, its thickness, and its moisture content.