France decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panels

[applegrove]

France decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panels

Agence 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]

1. *This* is a brilliant strategy to combat climate change!

Once again, France leads the way.

[840high]

2. .+1

[yeoman6987]

4. Who is responsible for the vegitation upkeep?

I can see a lot of dead brown vegitation if they don't figure that out.

[MisterFred]

5. Same person who is responsible for the air conditioners on said roof, I'd expect. nt

[Marie Marie]

3. I love the plant covered rooftops but I have a question.

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]

6. Excellent questions that are not normally asked.

While I cannot answer them, I do know that when not correctly answered, "water retention" and "roof" tend to be a bad combination.

[phazed0]

8. This is how they do it usually..

http://greenscape-ltd.com/product/rooftop-planters/

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. Thanks. That's one approach. See also

http://www.zinco-greenroof.com/EN/greenroof_systems/index.php

Green Roof build-up systems.

[phazed0]

21. Very cool!

[DrBulldog]

7. Yet another modern nation making the United States look like a third-world country.

But with our multitudes of ignorant bigoted people that is what we deserve.

[SouthernDemLinda]

11. United States of A Banana Republic

We made ourselves look like a Third World Country with a Banana Republic Government!

[Nevernose]

9. Why isn't there a solar panel on every streetlight in America?

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]

10. Sing it!

[SouthernDemLinda]

14. Most industrialized nations are way head of America in renewable energy

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]

15. another advantage is that during a storm, if one tree goes down, it won't

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]

22. In Nevada, its corporate greed

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]

18. Along with LED lights no less, right? That is the ultimate combination. LED

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. We can't have nice things like this. nt

[First Speaker]

13. Why the hell don't Phoenix and Las Vegas do something like this...?

.....maybe this could moderate their summer temps at least a little...

[jmowreader]

17. Firefighter safety comes to mind on solar panel covered roofs

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]

19. Exactly, and do all the installations of the HVAC systems underneath the solar panels. Raise them up

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]

20. Common sense policies exist in some countries

Bravo France