HOW HOT IS THAT ROOFTOP? One of the many things we have to take into consideration when we are under construction is the weather. If you have never been on a hot, black roof in the middle of the summer; Congratulations. It is HOT. The high temperature in July in Columbia, South Carolina, where Influent Energy constructed this 605.3kW rooftop mounted system for the Burton Pack Elementary School, was 91 degrees. The temperature on that roof was 5-20 degrees HIGHER while we were WORKING. We were sure to start our work days early and keep our staff fully hydrated. And guess what? Those solar panels are not only producing energy, they are protecting and lowering the ambient temperature of the roof and consequently the building.