Solar Panel Or Green Roof?

So you have a spare bit of money to spend. A solar panel for electricity, a solar energy water heater or a green roof? You want to do your bit for the environment. What do you buy?

Everyone has heard of the benefits of a home solar power. But not many people have heard of a green roof. Let me explain... is an environmental store that sells the best solar products available.

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A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil.

Sounds bizarre? Well actually they seem to be really catching on. And for good reason! A green roof is environmentally friendly.

Its benefits include;

They trap and filter rain water.

Increase roof life span.

provide habitat for birds, insects and small animals and bring color to urban neighborhoods.

Filter pollutants and CO2 out of the air.

Covered with vibrant grasses and plants, green roofs provide insulation in winter and reduce heat during warm summer days.

Filter pollutants and heavy metals out of rainwater.

Already, in forward thinking Germany, they have an estimated 10% of all roofs have been 'greened' up.

Germany's pioneering work has encouraged other countries such as Australia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland to actively embrace the concept.Its also catching on in the US with cities such as Chicago, Atlanta and Portland leading the way.

In fact, Chicago City Hall has a green roof and it is one of the earliest and most famous examples of green roofs in the US.

It was originally an experiment to determine the effects a green roof would have on the microclimate of the roof.

Following this and other studies, it has now been estimated that if all the roofs in a major city were 'greened', urban temperatures could be reduced by as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Well, we've established that green roofs are excellent for increasing biodiversity. But if you want to cut your carbon footprint and save energy then solar panels are the way to go.

Hmmmm. Tough choice! But wait a minute......

Why do you have to make a choice? Why not install both?

According to the International Green Roof Association, Green Roofs work well in combination with a solar energy house.

And here's why....

They help each other! The green roof helps slightly reduce solar PV temperatures. This leads to greater PV efficiency (in hot weather).

The PVs provide partial shade throughout the day to the green roof, thereby reducing evaporation rates and amount of needed watering. According to the Scandinavian Green Roof Institute, shade provided by the panels can even encourage more biodiversity.

So solar energy for homes used with a green roof is a perfect combination.

They go hand-in-hand to help wildlife, reduce bills and reduce global warming causes.

It's a no brainer win-win situation.

But if there is no way you can create a green roof but you still want to lessen your carbon footprint then you could just plant a tree. And you don't even have to get your hands dirty either. The Plant-A-Tree-Today (PATT) Foundation was formed in 2005 with its mission to react to problems caused by the massive and increasing levels of deforestation worldwide, raise awareness of environmental issues and the role forests play, take action against climate change, educate children on these issues and to PLANT MORE TREES.

Just go to their website and they will do the rest for you!

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