3 ms·
Surely solar would be a better tradeoff than mirrors? More expensive but you get energy out. White paint is at least cheap.
by benj111 4y ago
Surely solar would be a better tradeoff than mirrors? More expensive but you get energy out.
White paint is at least cheap.
- college_physics 4y agoyes, definitely part of the mix (of what to cover building surfaces with) but a decision that probably happens higher in the flow chart. Mirrors vs paint in some sense closer substitutes. Besides optimizing reflective performance versus monetary cost one would have to also take into account the full product lifecycle (dependence on fossil fuel, recyclability etc). I know what "a fresh lick of paint" means, no idea what "a fresh mirror coating" would look like :-) But overall a fascinating topic which like the converse (insulation of buildings in cold climates) has a major footprint