The Solar Roadways project is working to pave roads with solar panels that you can drive on. Their long range goal is to cover all concrete and asphalt surfaces that are exposed to the sun with Solar Road Panels. They plan to start off small: driveways, bike paths, patios, sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds, etc. This is where they hope to learn lessons and perfect the system. Once the lessons have been learned and the bugs have all been resolved, they plan to move out onto public roads.
Each 12 foot panel consists of:
Road Surface Layer - translucent and high-strength, it is rough enough to provide great traction, yet still passes sunlight through to the solar collector cells embedded within, along with LEDs and a heating element. It is capable of handling today's heaviest loads under the worst of conditions. Weatherproof, it protects the electronics layer beneath it.
Electronics Layer Contains a microprocessor board with support circuitry for sensing loads on the surface and controlling a heating element. No more snow/ice removal and no more school/business closings due to inclement weather. The on-board microprocessor controls lighting, communications, monitoring, etc. With a communications device every 12 feet, the Solar Roadway is an intelligent highway system.
Base Plate LayerLayer - While the electronics layer collects energy from the sun, it is the base plate layer that distributes power (collected from the electronics layer) and data signals (phone, TV, internet, etc.) "downline" to all homes and businesses connected to the Solar Roadway. Weatherproof, it protects the electronics layer above it.
The man behind the mission is Scott Brusaw of Sagle, Idaho. For more information visit www.solarroadways.com. Read the FAQs to find out how the solar panels will have as much traction as asphalt and how they will be self-cleaning, smart (can warn of animals on roadway ahead), illuminated and will melt snow!
The company received a $100,000 small-business contract to build the first prototype from the Federal Highway Administration. After successful completion of the Phase I SBIR contract, they were awarded a follow-up 2-year Phase II $750,000 SBIR contract by the Federal Highway Administration beginning in 2011. With this award, a prototype 12-foot by 36-foot solar parking lot is being built and will be tested under all weather and sunlight conditions. Mr. Brusaw’s design was voted first place for the $50,000 community award from the General Electric Ecomagination Challenge.
Solar Sidewalks
Spanish companiesOnyx Solar and Butech are collaboratively developing a solar walkway which should be available for purchase by the end of the year.
The Onyx/Butech sidewalk is made of super-strong solar PV glass integrated over elevated ceramic and is walkable. You can even place furniture on it, but move it aside in the bright of day, so that the panels soak up the sun. The developers described their greatest challenge as heat dispersion, so that those who like to go barefoot will not burn their feet. The company says they have mastered that issue. As well, the companies have greatly reduced the intial CO2 manufacturing footprint. Kudos.
Onyx Solar also makes Walkable Solar Skylights/Roofs, Solar Garages and Integrated Solar Outdoor Wall Panels. See their product catalog for more.
Street lights, traffic lights and equipments Reply #1 on : Sat February 23, 2013, 18:56:54
I can the future for solar roadway will excellent solutions on energy cost maintenance for all cities to cut back by federal budgets and state. We can live well using solar roadway through environmental disaster. I can see there will be more worries on depending on power from power lines for our cities and homes through storm season. Also have more power stations for electric cars in the future.
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The Solar Roadways project is working to pave roads with solar panels that you can drive on. Their long range goal is to cover all concrete and asphalt surfaces that are exposed to the sun with Solar Road Panels. They plan to start off small: driveways, bike paths, patios, sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds, etc. This is where they hope to learn lessons and perfect the system. Once the lessons have been learned and the bugs have all been resolved, they plan to move out onto public roads.
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Reply #1 on : Sat February 23, 2013, 18:56:54