Last month, we asked whether solar roads could generate enough energy to serve some of the nation’s power needs.
With tens of thousands of miles of solar-power generating roads, parking lots, sidewalks and other open spaces–without needing to clear space in untouched, natural areas–it seems like an ideal, if expensive solution.
It’s one that’s caught the public’s imagination though. The company proposing the idea, Solar Roadways, has smashed its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign target of $1 million.
In fact, it’s now at $1.9 million committed, and its deadline has been extended to June 20.
Now it’s important to note: Widespread public support in no ways guarantees success.
But the couple behind Solar Roadways, Scott and Julie Brusaw, have clearly struck a chord with their backers.
They’ve also developed a product that, at the prototype stage, answers a whole lot of difficult questions that startup companies aren’t always prepared to answer.
Again, proper solar roads are a long way off. Replacing every single mile of U.S. highway with solar panels could be a hundred years away, and there are still many hurdles to overcome.
Note that all these proposed uses of a solar roadway are also ways for such a project to generate revenues. Figuring out ways to make a solar roadway project economically feasible will be a huge challenge, says Gregory Wilson, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which is part of the US Department of Energy.
While the Brusaws are using some proven technologies, such as silicon solar cells and LED lighting, they need to design them to work well together and under weather and road conditions that pose different challenges to conventional solar panel installation (on a rooftop or in the field) or LED traffic signals and street lighting.
A novel technology often costs more, at least initially, until it's made in enough volume to reduce manufacturing expenses. Its price should also come down when there is enough demand to help recoup the initial research and development cost.
Then there is the expense of maintaining a solar roadway. It will require monitoring to make sure each panel is producing the expected amount of solar electricity. Repairing or replacing the components, if not each panel, will have to be easy to minimise the extent of roadway closures.
Keeping a solar roadway clear of dirt and debris and out of shade, all of which lower electricity generation, will also be crucial in making the project financially attractive, Wilson said. The Solar Roadway project is attempting to address many of these operational and maintenance issues.
The Brusaws wants to start making and selling their rugged solar panels before the end of the year. The city of Sandpoint, where the couple live, is set to become the first customer by installing the solar panels at a visitor centre parking lot.
pstarr wrote:. . . there are still many hurdles to overcome.
The hurdle is the impossibility of the stupidity. It appears that the folks crowd-sourcing this project live in an alternative universe where tire chains, studs, snowplows, and 80,000 lb. freight liners don't exist.
Sure solar roads would be fine in OZ where Dorothy dances on red slippers, the scarecrow pirouettes on straw pads, and the cowardly lion mostly sulks along at hypospace paws, but here on Planet Earth . . . Nope.
Repent wrote:I saw the 'Solar freaking roadways' video today on you tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... rnpgzU#t=0
Even if major roads and trucks routes aren't possible due to wear and tear, and cost issues, the video suggests we should start with basketball courts, public walkways, sidewalks, and personal driveways.
Greatest new idea in a long time- I think I'll redo my driveway. (Next on my to do list)
But like he says in the video, you put the panels up on the roof. That's where mine are. And it's closer to the sun! LOL
Newfie wrote:Good grief,not this kind of tripe again!
This is a scam out and out.
The Solar glass surface has been tested for traction, load testing, and impact resistance testing in civil engineering laboratories around the United States, and exceeded all requirements.
Solar Roadways is a modular system that will modernize our aging infrastructure with an intelligent system that can become the new Smart Grid. Solar Roadways won the Community Award of $50,000 by getting the most votes in GE's Ecomagination Challenge for "Powering the Grid" in 2010. Solar Roadways had the most votes again in their 2011 Ecomagination Challenge for "Powering the Home".
On August 21, 2013, Solar Roadways was selected by their peers as a Finalist in the World Technology Award For Energy, presented in association with TIME, Fortune, CNN, and Science.
Solar Roadways was chosen by Google to be one of their Moonshots in May of 2013.
Solar Roadways was chosen as a finalist in the IEEE Ace Awards in 2009 and 2010.
Solar Roadways has given presentations around the country including: TEDx Sacramento, Google's Solve for X at Google's NYC Headquarters, NASA, Keynote Speaker for the International Parking Institute's Conference, to name some.
Solar Roadways is tackling more than solar energy: The FHWA tasked with addressing the problem of storm water. Currently, over 50% of the pollution in US waterways comes from storm water. Solar Roadways has created a section in our Cable Corridors for storing, treating, and moving storm water.
The implementation of its concept on a grand scale could create thousands of jobs in the US and around the world. It could allow everyone the ability to manufacture out of our current economic crisis.
Graeme wrote:Here is some more info about this project that I wasn't aware of and I bet you weren't either.The implementation of its concept on a grand scale could create thousands of jobs in the US and around the world. It could allow everyone the ability to manufacture out of our current economic crisis.
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