Solar reflective coatings were applied to asphalt neighborhood streets in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California. Researchers measured the increase in solar radiant energy reflected upward from the streets, the decrease in radiant heat sent upward from the cooler street surfaces, and the neighborhood air temperatures. They found that the net changes in radiant energy transfer increased the net megawatts sent upward and significantly reduced peak air temperatures on hot days. They found that changes in both air temperatures and radiant energy that would strike human bodies increased human comfort on hot days.