Green roofs : their thermal performance in the context of a Mediterranean climate

Abstract

It has been shown that green roofs can moderate extremes of temperature and thereby can improve a building's overall energy performance. Much research has been carried out on the the performance of green roofs in the northern hemisphere for instance in Germany and USA, where attention has predominantly been placed on preventing heat loss through the roof in the heating or winter season. However, very little has been studied on the performance of such roofs in the Mediterranean region particularly in the reduction of heat gains in the cooling period of summer. This study has looked at the potential benefits that green roofs could bring to the Mediterranean region and to Malta in particular. It has also considered briefly any barriers that may hinder the implementation of green roofs.