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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFrance decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panels
France decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panelsAgence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/20/france-decrees-new-rooftops-must-be-covered-in-plants-or-solar-panels
"SNIP...........
Rooftops on new buildings built in commercial zones in France must either be partially covered in plants or solar panels, under a law approved on Thursday.
Green roofs have an isolating effect, helping reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a building in winter and cool it in summer.
They also retain rainwater, thus helping reduce problems with runoff, while favouring biodiversity and giving birds a place to nest in the urban jungle, ecologists say.
The law approved by parliament was more limited in scope than initial calls by French environmental activists to make green roofs that cover the entire surface mandatory on all new buildings.
.............SNIP"
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Once again, France leads the way.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)I can see a lot of dead brown vegitation if they don't figure that out.
MisterFred
(525 posts)Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)What do you do when the roof needs to be replaced? Or if the roof leaks - how do you deal with repairing or replacing this roof? I always wondered about that while admiring the few plant covered roofs in my area. Anybody know?
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)While I cannot answer them, I do know that when not correctly answered, "water retention" and "roof" tend to be a bad combination.
phazed0
(745 posts)It's basically a bunch of planter trays, 6-8 inches high and filled with soil/mulch. Water retention can be an issue for roofs that were not designed to handle that type of weight, however, France's law dictates that greening roofs is for only "new roofs in commercial districs" - of which can easily be designed for. Also, the roofs only need be partially covered, so it could be more of a garden with walkways and whatnot. The water retention would only be temporary as the planters will drain like a traditional planter in a backyard.
Check that site out, they have some neat installations.
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)phazed0
(745 posts)DrBulldog
(841 posts)But with our multitudes of ignorant bigoted people that is what we deserve.
SouthernDemLinda
(182 posts)We made ourselves look like a Third World Country with a Banana Republic Government!
Nevernose
(13,081 posts)It would take no extra infrastructure and save the local governments money in the long run. I'd also pass a law requiring any school receiving any federal money, within ten years and with zero interest loans, install covered parking on all school owned parking lots, with solar panels on those.
Solar doesn't always make the most financial sense for an individual (if one is planning on moving, for instance, or just doesn't live in a place conducive to solar), but there is no reason in the world a high school in Las Vegas or Arizona State shouldn't be blanketed in solar panels. Not only would it save them money -- they'll operate campuses for decades -- but during summer, peak usage, they'll have extra power to spread around.
applegrove
(118,778 posts)SouthernDemLinda
(182 posts)Biotechnology has developed an edible algae that can be grown on rooftops. The algae helps combat carbon dioxide levels.
Germany is one of the world's leader in solar technology; among other things they have huge solar cell plants along highways. You think they couldn't place solar panels along America's highways?
Most industrialized nations are way head of America in renewable energy. As well as, European and Asian nations, we also are trailing Europe and Australia in renewable energy. The United States is far behind other large developed nations in wind power capacity. Most developing countries have abundant renewable energy resources, including solar. China is by far the world's biggest investor in clean energy - $102.9 billion.
demigoddess
(6,644 posts)take out the power of 50,000 people. I do not understand why they don't put solar panels on all new homes in the sun belt area of our country. Las Vegas, New Mexico,Texas etc. Instead Texas is importing coal, last I heard. (used to live in Tx)
Nevernose
(13,081 posts)It's long and complicated, but the short version is: Nevada politics and politicians have always been in the pocket not just of the gaming industry, but Nevada Power. A Las Vegas mayor even went to prison as far back as 1930 for corruption and bribery by Nevada Power (currently called NV Energy).
Warren Buffet bought it a few years ago and then the power company bribed the public utility commission until they reduced subsidies for solar to almost nothing, destroying the entire state industry, along with thousands of jobs, literally overnight.
There should be some referendums in November that should pass easily. Reinstating an equitable solar energy fee for one, background checks for all firearms sales and recreational marijuana are a couple other socially liberal referendum items that poll well.
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)lighting is amazing, the technology is so far beyond incandescent, it's not even funny. Incandescent is liking living in the stone age.
NO offense intended towards fans of incandescent lighting of course. I just prefer to move beyond the point where lighting is considered furniture (in new build) and that it's designed into the function and form of a home as a discrete design, not an element design.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)First Speaker
(4,858 posts).....maybe this could moderate their summer temps at least a little...
jmowreader
(50,562 posts)When light hits a solar panel, electricity comes out of it - and you can't turn them off.
http://sustainable-firengineering.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/NFPA-FPRF_Firefighter-Tactics-Solar-Power_2013.pdf
underahedgerow
(1,232 posts)to create an umbrella over the building, for a further insulating and cooling effect.
For that matter, why the eff are people still building flat roofs instead of on a slight slope for water runoff? That's a constant huge pet peeve of mine in design and renovation.
Flat roofs SUCK. And why are people still using asphalt on roofs? There is nothing that sucks and retains heat MORE than asphalt and shingle roofs. In hot zones, it's just stupid design.
Sloped roofs make sense in snow areas too, of course, for water run-off, etc.
People are so stuck on stupid design, it's infuriating.
I'll stop now. Thanks! xoxoxo
malaise
(269,157 posts)Bravo France