CoolRoofsBC is developing a number of initiatives intended to expand the information, tools and resources available to communities seeking to increase the use of cool roofing in British Columbia.
These initiatives include the Cool Roofs Ambassador Program, development of a Cool Roof Knowledge Base, completion of ongoing BCIT research, development of a shared BC cool roof mapping platform, and a municipal roofing database and administration system. Implementation of these initiatives will depend on securing funding and, where appropriate, partnerships with governments, educational institutions, industry organizations and others.
Additional information will be added shortly.
Developing these initiatives will require funding and, in some cases, collaboration with governments, research institutions, municipalities, industry and other organizations.
The following are priorities CoolRoofsBC is seeking to advance as the resources and partnerships required to undertake them become available.
Cool Roof Knowledge Base
A substantial amount of cool-roof research, technical information and practical experience has been developed internationally over the past 15 years and more. However, this information is spread across research institutions, governments, industry organizations, technical publications and other sources and can often be difficult and time-consuming to locate.
With funding available, CoolRoofsBC proposes to develop a comprehensive Cool Roof Knowledge Base that brings this information together and makes reliable information about cool roofing easier to find and use.
Complete BCIT Cool Roof Research Study
CoolRoofsBC has a cool roof related research project underway in conjunction with BCIT’s School of Construction and the Environment to measure and compare the temperature performance of otherwise similar white TPO and black SBS roof assemblies under BC South Coast climatic conditions. Commenced in May 2024, the project has now accumulated sufficient monitoring data to prepare and publish a professional research paper.
Funding required: $5,000.
Ambassador Program
The CoolRoofsBC Ambassador Program is intended to support locally led CoolRoofsBC groups across municipalities and, where appropriate, First Nations communities throughout British Columbia. Funding will help establish and support local groups and provide them with shared information, communications materials and other resources needed to increase awareness and understanding and to undertake local action programs. These could include volunteer projects applying reflective white coatings to suitable social housing and other community buildings on a non-profit basis.
BCIT cool-roof analysis project comparing high reflectivity white TPO on the left and black SBS on the right.
Satellite Mapping and Rooftop Data for BC Communities
A number of satellite- and AI-based mapping capabilities are now available and continuing to be developed that could provide valuable information to communities planning for increasing temperatures, greater use of cool roofing and rooftop solar energy generation.
Programs being developed by Google Research, Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer and the World Resources Institute demonstrate how satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and other geospatial data can help planners identify existing rooftop conditions, assess opportunities for greater use of cool roofing, model heat-resilience strategies and estimate rooftop solar electricity-generation potential.
CoolRoofsBC requires funding to investigate these and other emerging capabilities, determine their potential application within British Columbia, and explore how useful rooftop mapping and data could be made available to BC communities.
BC Municipal Roofing Information and Compliance System
CoolRoofsBC proposes investigating a standardized capability that could help municipalities record and use roofing information associated with building permits, reroofing and other relevant municipal processes. Rather than creating a separate stand-alone database, the objective would be to determine how useful cool-roof and roofing information could be incorporated into, or work with, existing municipal permitting and property-information systems.
A shared approach could make it easier for municipalities to understand changes in their roofing stock over time, support the development of future cool-roof policies or requirements, and provide more consistent information for planning and research. Development would require municipal participation, technical design and funding.
Supporting Planned Initiatives
Organizations and individuals interested in helping financially advance one or more of these initiatives are invited to contact CoolRoofsBC to discuss their interest or contribute through Support Our Work. Funding and partnerships can allow well-defined initiatives to proceed when the resources required to undertake them properly are available.
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