(PhysOrg.com) — In a first step toward turning highways into energy-generating solar panels, the Sagle, Idaho-based startup Solar Roadways has recently received a $100,000 grant from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The company will use the money to build a prototype of its Solar Road Panel, made from solar cells and glass, that is meant to replace petroleum-based asphalt on roads and in parking lots.
The 12- x 12-foot panels, which each cost $6,900, are designed to be embedded into roads. When shined upon, each panel generates an estimated 7.6 kilowatt hours of power each day. If this electricity could be pumped into the grid, the company predicts that a four-lane, one-mile stretch of road with panels could generate enough power for 500 homes. Although it would be expensive, covering the entire US interstate highway system with the panels could theoretically fulfill the country’s total energy needs. The company estimates that this would take 5 billion panels, but could “produce three times more power than we’ve ever used as a nation – almost enough to power the entire world.”
This seems like a good idea but might be a little pricey. I wonder how durable these panels are.
There are plenty of places to put solar panels where they won’t get constantly run over. If they are not generating energy from the act of the cars running them over why not run them down the side of the roads up in the air.
That would be too easy. The roads here in California are crappy as it is, why would you want to replace a 12 foot section of road that probably costs 50 bucks or so with a $6,900 panel. Both will be destroyed from driving on them.
Idiots!
It seems quite a few Republican quack engineers have converged on this topic for their 2 cents (I’m being generous).
Needless to say, they never read the FAQ, nor done any research yet freely making use of their pie hole to communicate their redesign.
The price point is ridiculous. I love solar power, but this is the wrong application and the wrong solar tech. Too expensive. And roads are among the worst candidates. They’re the dirtiest and most likely to be covered with debris, which would block sunlight from hitting the panels. Stupid idea.
Use them in parking lots? Really?
cool… now roads will be closed for polishing 😛