The Climate Photo of this week features a climate-friendly urban innovation, solar parking lots. According to research conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, most cities’ surfaces are covered to 35 - 50% with asphalt and concrete, including parking lots. Asphalt and concrete absorb sun's energy, contributing to the so called "urban heat island" effect.

Covering parking lots helps reduce this effect, and installing roofs over parking lots covered with solar panels is an ideal way to generate clean electricity.

This photo by RegreenCorp shows the Walter J. Towers Medical Office Building in Los Angeles, United States. Its solar parking lot generates 30% of the building's electricity needs.

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