Painting The Sun – Solar Panel
Solar panels lose efficiency the moment they get hot. Every rooftop solar installer knows this trade-off: the same sun that powers the panel also heats the roof beneath it, and that heat radiates straight back up into the panel’s underside. Depending on the roof surface, that heat gain can cost a solar array anywhere from 5% to 25% of its rated output — invisible losses that never show up on a spec sheet, only on the generation report.
Why the Roof Under the Panel Matters as Much as the Panel Itself
Most solar conversations start and end with the panel — wattage, efficiency rating, panel brand. Far fewer start with the surface the panel sits on. A dark, unfinished metal or concrete roof absorbs solar radiation and re-radiates it as heat, raising the ambient temperature directly under and around the array. Photovoltaic cells are rated for peak output at a standard test temperature of 25°C; for every degree above that, output drops. On an Indian summer rooftop, that gap can be 30–40°C or more.
This is where a high-SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) cool roof coating changes the equation. Applied to the roof surface around and beneath a solar installation, a reflective coating like Panache’s CoolTops range reflects a large share of incoming solar radiation instead of absorbing it, keeping the surrounding roof — and the air layer the panels sit in — measurably cooler.
The Cool Roof + Solar “Power Couple”
Panache has long argued that cool roofs and solar installations shouldn’t be treated as separate projects. Pairing a high-SRI roof coating with a solar array is estimated to recover up to 20–25% of the efficiency otherwise lost to rooftop heat gain — without touching the panels, wiring or inverter at all. It’s one of the simplest efficiency upgrades available to an existing Heat-Reflective solar installation, and one of the cheapest additions to a new one.
This synergy also lines up with where Indian solar policy is heading. As the Surya Ghar rooftop solar programme accelerates residential and commercial adoption nationwide, roof surface preparation is becoming as relevant to system performance as panel selection — and cool roof coatings are a natural, low-cost complement to any rooftop solar rollout.
What This Means for Solar EPCs and Building Owners
For solar EPC contractors, recommending a cool roof treatment ahead of installation is a low-effort way to protect the performance numbers promised to a client. For building owners who already have solar installed, coating the surrounding and underlying roof area is a retrofit that doesn’t require touching the existing array.
Panache’s CoolTops Premium, CoolTops Eco and CoolTops Classic systems are engineered for exactly this application — reflective, durable, GreenPro & GRIHA certified coatings designed to sit alongside a solar installation for years without recoating. All are backed by an SRI rating built for Indian rooftop conditions.
Benefits of Choosing Panache’s Green Rated Products
While pursuing IGBC, GRIHA or LEED certification, Panache products contribute up to 6–8 points across Energy Efficiency, Thermal Comfort, Air Quality, UHI Mitigation, Innovative Systems Design, Local Material Use and Green Pro / GRIHA certified materials.
Benefits Of Choosing Panache’s Green Rated Products:
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Client Success Stories
I really appreciate Neetu ma’am and the panache Team for giving us a perfect solution to the heat related problems we experienced.
Before the application of cool tops, the temperature level on the store was 52 ° C, but after the application of Cool tops there seemed a reduction in surface temperature by 4 ° C, the temperature in the area where I sit was 40 °C which has reduced to 37 °C, there is a substantial difference in the ambient temperature, Since last 4-5 months I’m not reducing the temperature of my AC below 28 , Even at 28 I couldn’t keep it for long as the room becomes cooler so I keep for few minutes and turn it off . I really appreciate Neetu ma’am and the panache Team for giving us a perfect solution to the heat related problems we experienced.
The result after applying cool tops from panache is you can see the smiling faces of our team after applying the coating system from panache .
This was an old shed so we had a direct roofing installed, no Insulation. We were very much clear after the discussion with Panache team that we should go for cool Tops coating instead insulation so the result is you can see the smiling faces of our team after applying the coating system from panache #GoGreenwithCoolTops
We took the temperature measurement of outside and inside premises. We noticed a good amount like you can say minimum 6 to 8 Deg C temperature difference.
Looking at the Indian climatic condition during summers, where the temperatures were going too high and whenever it goes up to the peak level, the temperature in the factory shop floor rises affecting the efficiency of the workers. We had a thought in our mind that is there any way to control the temperature, then we came across the Panache company and got in touch with them, after explaining them our problem they came to visit our factory. The team is very committed and technically competent to give us the exact solution for the temperature reduction at the factory. We noticed minimum 6 to 8 °C temperature difference. Thereafter, we received positive feedback from the workers so we decided to go ahead with another project in our office premises. As far as execution is concerned, Panache are experts in this domain. They even contacted us after completion of our installation and ensured that we were satisfied with the workmanship. If someone really wishes to reduce temperature in their premises, I would highly recommend Cool Tops coating from panache – I wish them best of luck for their future projects!
Their prices and services are definitely worth the solution given & treatment done with complete transparency.
I have hired Panache services for the waterproofing & Cooling Treatment on one of the roofs of Parul University premises. Their prices and services are definitely worth the solution given & treatment done with complete transparency. I can definitely recommend them to organizations & people looking for thermal comfort along with waterproofing solutions also.
Totally satisfied by the service received.
I am very impressed by their work on how they provide customized solutions for every problem we have & every task they take up.
The Indoor Temperature has decreased to almost 5 °C. Cool Tops provides Cool Buildings without ACs.
In one of our projects, we had a requirement where AC was not viable and people working under that premises were very much disturbed. To solve that problem, we have consulted Panache for the solution. Panache has provided the full proof solution and after the completion of the Cool Tops Installation, we were much relieved. The indoor temperature has decreased to almost 5 degrees. I could say Cool Tops provide Cool buildings without AC.
The experience for the quality of products with consistency is very appreciable.
I am an engineer & contractor taking turnkey projects. We have used Panache’s various waterproofing products & I recommend Panache's Cool Tops, the special 5 coat system which gives thermal comfort with sustainable performance. The experience for the quality of products with consistency is very appreciable.
I really appreciate their efforts for perfection & sound knowledge of the technology.
We have met the Panache Team from one of our friend’s references who have already taken the services. I must say, they are very professional in what they do. I really appreciate their efforts for perfection & sound knowledge of the technology.
