Solar Panels Built Into Roads Could Be the Future of Energy

Great Idea!!! I hope they can figure out the details so it works the first time and doesn't get scrapped when it first fails

Not to be a downer, but this just doesn't seem practical.

Building solar panels as roofs above the roads seems more logical, but then you have to contend with mac trucks, so they'd have to be at least 15 feet off the ground.

Great idea in theory, but there are many technical problems-- like when they have to cut the road in half to put in a pipe, or some jerk drives his excavator on the road, or frost heaves, snow plows, etc... What ever happened to that photovoltaic paint that was supposed to revolutionize power generation, that would seem like a more viable alternative. Just paint the roads and voila, we have enough power to make congress feel envy.

The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded LEDs which “paint” the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving, as well as to give up to the minute instructions (via the road) to drivers (i.e. “detour ahead”). The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to “slow down”. There will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. This feature packed system will become an intelligent highway that will double as a secure, intelligent, decentralized, self-healing power grid which will enable a gradual weaning from fossil fuels.

... Fully electric vehicles will be able to recharge along the roadway and in parking lots, finally making electric cars practical for long trips.

It is estimated that is will take roughly five billion (a stimulus package in itself) 12’ by 12’ Solar Road Panels to cover the asphalt surfaces in the U.S. alone, allowing us to produce three times more power than we’ve ever used as a nation - almost enough to power the entire world.

There are some cost estimates on the site. They argue that roadways could be solarized for roughly the same net cost we’d pay for power plants, grid infrastructure, and asphalt.

As usual with large-scale, visionary ideas like this, it’s difficult to agree on a cost-benefit analysis. The costs are mostly quantifiable—multiply cost of panel by 5 billion, etc.—but the benefits are not. Many are speculative or unpredictable, many are avoided costs. What are the benefits of not building coal plants and grid infrastructure? Not paying for accidents from ice and wildlife? Not having centralized, brittle power infrastructure?

New infrastructure does not merely replace old infrastructure; it provides a platform for new kinds of innovation. Who knows what would grow out of massively distributed power, a national smart grid, or an electrified vehicle fleet? What would it mean to have an overabundance of clean electricity?

Decisions about projects of such scope can’t   be made with a mathematical formula. There are irreducible elements of aspiration and faith, values and ethics, fear and desire—just as there were in America’s decisions to wage war,  guarantee health care for seniors and the poor,  go to the moon, or extend broadband internet access. Conservatives and Blue Dogs tell us we can’t afford it, presuming a shared understanding of what it’s worth.

Think not just about solar roadways, but more generally about the goal of clean, abundant energy, economic renewal, and a livable climate. What’s that worth? And why do the Blue Dogs get to decide?

http://tr.im/xqHl

Worth a try ... we should test them up north to see how they handle the seasons .

Interesting. I hope this works and becomes a reality.

It sounds really good in theory, but what about the fact that UH CARS ARE GOING TO BE DRIVING ON THE SOLAR PANEL ROADS? Will there be some strong reinforcing barrier that will keep the weight of the cars from damaging the panels and wiring? How often would these road panels need to be repaired and replaced? What about cleaning maintenance? Roads get dirty and dusty, and when they're dirty, how will the panels collect sunlight? Roofs with solar panels also get dirty, but not at nearly the same rate as roads, and are much easier to clean since you don't have to shut down a whole route of transportation to clean panels on a roof. As said, it sounds good in theory but there are a lot of practical considerations that may make this solar attempt more trouble than it's worth.

It's a cool idea, but also way to far in the future for this country.

The whole concept is good! I hope will succeed!

cool idea but i feel we are way too far in debt to be seeing these any time soon... plus whose gonna be paying for the rest of these roads if we do begin this project? tax tax

Black to dark MacAdam and tarmac are always hot when the sun comes out. I think the heat could be collected some how. Up here in PA we usually have a road or two that buckles in the sun every summer. Not so much this summer though it's been cool and rainy.

How would they work when dirty, and would it not defeat the purpose if we are still driving cars using oil? Why can't funds be put towards the solar innovations that are closer to market to get them out now? We don't have another decade to wait.

This idea is too good, so I guess it won't come to fruition. Isn't that how we operate on renewable energy ideas? A politician or interest group is going to complain about the traffic due to the construction & the asthetically displeasing equipment and the whole project will get scrapped. God forbid we get inconvenienced to do what's right.

frickin brilliant!

This sounds like an amazing idea. The idea of driving over my power source is "electric"

would they be a smoothe ride? thats the important question here.

interesting.... cool idea to double the use of space -multi functioning grids.... and, would create a lot of jobs....

I'd be concerned about the potential for accidents. Would these surfaces be safe to drive on in a rainstorm? Wind? Snow?

Very neat idea, but it sounds very expensive. I would say that they should include a way to charge an electric vehicle while it is driving down the road as well.

If concrete and asphalt wear out in 5-15 years in most places, I don't even want to think about how quickly these roads would wear out.