Method and system for retroreflective cooling

摘要

An apparatus for inhibiting heating of an enclosure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a covering configured to shade at least a portion of a surface of the enclosure and includes a plurality of retroreflective elements. The plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at wavelength in a range between about 380 nm and about 780 nm or sub-range thereof. The plurality of retroreflective elements receive the electromagnetic beams along beam entry paths and reflect the electromagnetic beams along beam exit paths. The beam entry paths and the beam exit paths have substantially the same elevation angle and may also have substantially the same azimuthal angle. Further, the plurality of retroreflective elements may include retroreflective elements configured to diffusively and/or specularly scatter audible sound wavelengths, RF wavelengths, and/or thermal infrared energy.