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Reducing cooling needs with reflective roof technology

Dakar hotel reduces electricity use by 36% and energy consumption by 13%, mitigating the urban heat island effect

Implementation Date

November 30, 2021

By

Pullman Dakar Teranga Hotel

City

Dakar

story image

Description

In Dakar’s business district, the Pullman Dakar Teranga hotel faced persistent overheating across its 1,500 m. of terraces, contributing to excessive energy use for cooling. To address this challenge, the hotel implemented the CoolRoof solution, completing the installation in just 15 days at the end of 2021.

The results were striking: in 2022, energy consumption fell by 13% compared to 2019 when accounting for Unified Degree Days (UDD)1 and by 10% without it. Adjusting for the hotel’s occupancy rate, electricity use decreased by 36% during the same period. This reflective roofing technology not only lowered cooling demands but also demonstrated the potential of such solutions to mitigate urban heat in regions increasingly affected by rising temperatures and heat waves.

Deep Dive

Dakar, with a population exceeding 1 million, experiences average temperatures ranging from 25 to 32°C year-round.2 These persistently high temperatures contribute to health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and dehydration. Globally, access to air conditioning remains limited in developing regions, where affordability and unreliable electricity infrastructure create barriers.

Urban areas, such as Dakar, face the additional challenge of the urban heat island effect, where cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural regions. This occurs because urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavements, absorb and retain large amounts of sunlight. These surfaces cover about 60% of urban spaces and absorb over 80% of the sunlight they receive, further intensifying the heat.3 Installing cool roofs with solar reflectance can reduce heat absorption and keep homes cooler. Conventional roofs can reach temperatures of 65°C or more on a sunny summer afternoon, while reflective roofs can stay over 28°C cooler under the same conditions.4

Environmental Benefits

  • Lowers surface temperatures, reducing grid strain and preventing outages in heatwave areas.
  • 20 to 40% energy consumption savings on building air conditioning annually

Economic Benefits

  • Cuts energy costs by reducing consumption, saving €5/m² in France (based on €0.22/kWh)
  • Reduces indoor temperatures by up to 8°C, lowering the risk of heat-related illnesses
  • Mitigates the urban heat island effect, making cities more livable during extreme heat events

Solution Spotlight

A white thermo-reflective coating that reflects 90% of the sun's heat, creating a complete thermal shield. It can be applied to various substrates, such as bituminous bilayer, steel, roof tiles, and asbestos. Additionally, it helps reduce the urban heat island effect from black roofs in summer, benefiting surrounding neighbourhoods.

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The information set out above, is solely for the purposes of information and the Solar Impulse Foundation does not provide any guarantee as to its authenticity, completeness or accuracy. This information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy into, transact or to enter into any agreement with any of the parties or persons mentioned above. Potential investors or interested parties are solely responsible for their investment or business decisions and for performing any due diligence required by the circumstances. The innovator has asserted ownership of the intellectual property rights for images, videos, and content showcased above, affirming full and unrestricted usage rights, and has provided explicit permission for the Solar Impulse Foundation to publish such information designated as "public" in the application form.