Center for Green Roof Research

The Center, the only location in North America with small test green roofs on replicated buildings, characterizes and quantifies the performance of green roofs and promotes their discoveries through education and outreach.

Some of the cutting edge research performed in the Penn State Center has included studies in storm water runoff quality and quantity, building energy consumption and insulation value, media chemical and physical characteristics, plant selection, plant water use, waterproofing resistance to root penetration, and drainage materials.

The first green roof technologies class in the nation was also created at Penn State in 2005 and is taught every spring semester with students from many disciplines participating.