Solar Roadways: How Far Can We Go?

How far can we go with solar roadways?

We’ve posted about a solar highway project in Oregon.  Yet, some people are looking at the 5.7 million miles of asphalt criss-crossing the United States and thinking much bigger.  How far can we go with solar roadways?  Can we install solar panels on all or most of these driveable surfaces?

Solar Roadways, a company based in the northern part of Idaho (www.solarroadways.com) says “yes.”  It hopes to take its idea of “structurally-engineered solar panels” that can be driven upon, and literally pave the country with them.  From highways to driveways, Solar Road Panels^TM could be installed to collect and store solar energy for endless uses.

Here’s a clip that explains more:

Solar Roadways could help us break our fossil-fuel dependency

They are not the only ones that believe in this incredible future for solar panels.  Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a $100,000 contract to Solar Roadways for development of a prototype panel.  Could it be we are on our way to a fossil-fuel free future?

Scott Brusaw of Solar Roadways has opined that if every street, driveway and parking lot was replaced with his invention, three times the electricity used in the USA in 2003 could be generated by clean solar energy.  And just think of the green jobs that would be created. Brusaw estimates over 2.5 million jobs in assembly of the solar road panels alone could result.

Road solar panels can do more than generate clean electricity.  They may also be able to:

• Sense animals on the roadway, potentially alerting drivers,
• Heat themselves when covered in snow and ice, and
• Act as a power source for electric cars, providing recharging stations at points along its length.

All of this sounds great, doesn’t it?  But what is involved?

Solar road panels are complex and extraordinarily expensive.  And some question whether they are durable enough to withstand heavy truck traffic and inclement winter weather.  With respect to the latter issue, Solar Roadways should continue to address such questions in its prototype development.  Yet the reality of paving America with solar panels may be far-fetched… at least for now.

Rain or shine, road solar panels could "brighten" your commute

Current cost estimates put the price tag at about $35 trillion (each panel will cost $7,000).  Green benefits and cool features aside, neither the government nor taxpayers has that kind of capital lying around for such a huge investment.

This is not to say that solar roadways is an idea that should be parked.  Continued research and development should result in a less expensive, yet more durable panel.  This, plus the fact that prices are continuing to drop with respect to solar panel components.

I will go the extra mile in predicting that within a year or two, a prototype will lead to experimental installations in segments of roadways, and that the result will be nothing short of amazing.  As quoted on the Solar Roadways website:

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”–Walt Disney

If you believe in the “magic” of Solar Roadways, too, be sure to sign their “Encouragement List.”

Tags: idaho solar, solar highways, solar road panels, solar roadways