Cool, photoluminescent paints towards energy consumption reductions in the built environment

Nowadays, passive strategies are identified among the preferred solutions to reduce energy consumption and to increase comfort in the built environment. Indeed, such strategies allow energy saving by exploiting the intrinsic characteristics of materials. In this work, an innovative cool, photoluminescent paint is considered for application in the built environment, as a passive strategy to (i) reduce energy for cooling in the hot season, (ii) maintain lower surface and air temperatures, thus benefiting comfort and (iii) contribute to the lighting of the outdoor public space. The cool, photoluminescent material is first described, then its implementation in the built environment is hypothesized. An experimental, in-lab characterization is conducted to measure the optics characteristics of the samples. Finally, possible implementation of the investigated material in the built environment is investigated by means of dynamic simulation, in terms of thermal- and lighting-energy performance, when applied on the external envelope of a case study building and as an advanced paving solution in a public space. Results from this preliminary study show that the investigated material has promising features, since it can save up to 30% energy for cooling and 27% yearly energy for lighting.