Page 30 - CO_April_2023

LEAD STORY ROOFING

green homes observe high amount of growth due to guidelines would be taken up to explain to the people the benefits of cool
relating emissions from the buildings along with fine impact of roofs.
those establishments. Major producers of LARs, which include Implementation of cool roofs is now mandatory for all government,
Fosroc, Tremco and Sika make high use of green certifications for government-owned, non-residential and commercial buildings
the products. They have used sustainable construction purpose irrespective of the site area or built up area. A cool roof is
that encompasses green buildings and the green roofs which mandatory for buildings that have a plot area of 600 square yards
create opportunities for liquid applied roofing market. and above in the state. The State government aims to achieve at
least 200 square kms of cool roof area in Greater Hyderabad and
Interesting developments 100 sq.km in the urban local bodies across Telangana, by 2030.
Rising consumer inclination towards energy saving coupled with For the current financial year 2023-24, a target of about five sq.mt
favorable government support will continue to push the sales of in GHMC limits and 2.5 sq.km in ULBs has been set to achieve cool
cool roof coatings. Governments across the world are launching roof area. In another interesting development, an India-made
various initiatives and programs to promote cool roof building. For integrated solar roofing system has received approval from Dubai’s
instance, Telangana has become the first state in the country to Electricity and Water Authority as a part of the local initiative to
introduce Cool Roof Policy with a vision to make the State more make the UAE sustainable and eco-friendly, the company behind
thermally comfortable, heat resilient and bring down energy the product has said. Uncle’s Shop Building Material Trading, one
consumption. Unveiling the Telangana Cool Roof Policy 2023-28 of the oldest business establishments in Dubai by the Indian origin.
IT and MAUD Minister K T Rama Rao said that a cool roof costs Bhatia family said the product will open doors to a new technology
only `300 per square metre but the benefits are long lasting and in the solar industry.
monetary gains in the form of energy savings are considerable. ATUM is an integrated solar roofing system that serves all the
Describing the policy as a step in the right direction to address functions of a traditional roof whilst generating energy. It is also an
future climate challenges, the minister said that the roofs reflect aesthetic roofing solution as it is integrated into a roofing cement
some of the sun’s incoming radiation back into the atmosphere, panel. It can withstand above 200+ kilometre per hour and can
thus reducing heat retention and cooling indoor spaces. withstand hail and snow.
Telangana being the third most urbanised state in the country “ATUM generates 375W per unit and is a patented product. It is an
with almost 50% of the population residing in urban areas, there extremely sleek 17 mm roof with a weight of 46 kg per unit and a
is an urgent need to introduce cost-effective and climate-friendly guaranteed performance,” Yash Bhatia, Director, Uncle’s Shop
cooling solutions to counter the urban heat island effect, he said. said.
Cool roofing can be implemented by using paints, tiles or ‘With its long-lasting lifespan, ATUM is the smartest solar roofing
other materials. Recalling his conversation with tiles and paints solution of the lot. It costs the same as laying a traditional roof and
companies’ representatives, he said that people can recover their having solar panels installed on top of them. It is also a hassle-free
investment in cool roofing within two years, in the form of energy job as ATUM generates optimum power while utilising maximum
savings and others. The minister said that awareness campaigns space of the solar cell,” said Bhatia.

30 CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES|APRIL 2023