Pigment colorant researchers are developing new complex inorganic color pigments that exhibit dark color in the visible spectrum and high reflectance in the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The new pigments increase the near infrared reflectance of exterior finishes and paints, thereby dropping the surface temperatures of roofs and walls, which, in turn, reduces the cooling-energy demand of the building. However, determining the effects of climate and solar exposure on the reflectance and the variability in color over time is of paramount importance for promoting these energy efficiency benefits and for accelerating the market penetration of products using the new color pigments.

Kenneth Loye (FERRO Corporation)

Andre Desjarlais (Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL))

Hashem Akbari (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL))

Scott Kriner (Metal Construction Association)

Stephen Wiel (Cool Roof Project – California Energy Commission)

Ronnen Levinson (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL))

Robert Scichili (BASF)

Paul Berdahl (Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL))

Miller, W., Loye, K. T., Desjarlais, A. O., Akbari, H., Kriner, S., Wiel, S., Levinson, R., Scichili, R. G., and Berdahl P., “Special Infrared Reflective Pigments Make a Dark Roof Reflect Almost Like a White Roof ” Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings IX International Conference, ASHRAE, December, 2004