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August 28, 2009

DOT Awards Research Contract to Solar Roadways

Idaho, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Solar Roadways announced that it has been awarded a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) contract that will enable them to prototype the first ever Solar Road Panel.

It is estimated that is will take roughly five billion 12' by 12' Solar Road Panels to cover the asphalt surfaces in the U.S. alone.

Solar Roadways said that its planned roadway upgrades could collect solar energy to power businesses and homes via structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon, to be placed in parking lots and roadways in lieu of petroleum-based asphalt surfaces.

The project, which RenewableEnergyWorld.com originally reported on in March 2008, calls for solar road panels that 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 also be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to slow down and there will be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. It is estimated that is will take roughly five billion 12' by 12' Solar Road Panels to cover the asphalt surfaces in the U.S. alone.

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Reader Comments (2)
 
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August 28, 2009
I agree with Bart Hibbs and Phil Brooks comments on the previous article on this topic. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/03/pv-you-can-drive-on-promising-technology-in-solar-roads-51755

It seems silly to put solar panels where they will get grimy and where vehicles will be shading the solar cells from the sunlight, ruining the efficiency. I'm astonished that the government would spend money on this.
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September 2, 2009
I have to disagree with Carolyn. Yes, cars will be on it, yes the efficiency might be low, but the US is infatuated with its cars and paving the planet. A new technology that makes it safer to drive and creates power instead of our current one use road ways not only makes good sense but is the next step in making electric vehicles a reality. This technology would make it possible to have charging stations in areas which have little or no access to the grid or where it would be prohibitively expensive to do so. We need to think outside the box and look at the big picture. Funding projects like this is the governments job. Putting money into project that the privet sector will not, for the betterment of our society. Look at computers when they first hit the market. This technology is much like that. A good start. In 20 years this new technology could be the standard. I'm all for roads that are safer to drive on and make power doing what all roads do now. Waste space.
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