A series of novel environmentally benign near-infrared (NIR) reflecting inorganic pigments based on yttrium cerate doped with metal ions such as Mo(6+) or Pr(4+) have been developed and characterized using XRD. UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and CIE 1976 L*a*b* color scales. The substitution of Mo(6+) for Ce(4+) in Y(2)Ce(2)O(7) changed the color from ivory-white to yellow and the band gap decreased from 3.01 to 2.44 eV due to O(2p)-Mo(4d) charge-transfer transitions. Most importantly the molybdenum doped pigments exhibit bright yellow hue with high NIR solar reflectance (> 90%) in the range 700-2500 nm. In contrast, replacing Pr(4+) for Ce(4+) drastically shifts the absorption edge of the pigments from 410 to 725 nm and as a result the band gap of the compounds changes from 3.01 to 1.70 eV. Interestingly, the praseodymium doped pigments not only exhibits colors ranging from brick-red to dark-brown but also shows significant NIR solar reflectance. The ability of the pigments to transfer their NIR reflectance properties to a roofing material like asbestos cement sheet was evaluated. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.