Solar Roadways

[E30SPDFRK]

I remember hearing about these years ago, but recently they've been getting a lot of attention and have over $1,000,000 raised on indiegogo.



The human in me is saying freaking finally, this is a huge step towards the future. So many of our current world problems could be reduced or eleminated with this single technology, let's get it done yesterday.

But the car enthusiast in me is saying screw that, this can only lead to the end of so many things I like. The road surface is tempered glass, I can only imagine how that is for grip, and if they do break eventually what's it going to do to our tires. They heat up in the winter so no more snow sliding while everyone else is staying off the roads. They are pressure sensitive and can relay traffic info, but how about when the police start using them for speeding and reckless driving tickets?



What are your thoughts?

[rturbo 930]

I feel like they would get destroyed pretty quickly. Semis, car accidents, shit falling off trucks, etc. And I'm guessing they would need to be cleaned fairly frequently since roads aren't exactly clean. Since they're glass, there's also the issue of sun glare, unless they come up with a non-reflective surface, but I feel like that would make them less efficient, though I'm not really sure. And then there's the cost, the roads around here are shit already and they're only asphalt, how are they gonna pay for fucking solar panels? Maybe it could be feasible in the future when solar panels are cheap and easy to make, but I can't see this happening any time soon.

[thatphysicsguy]

I feel like they would get destroyed pretty quickly. Semis, car accidents, shit falling off trucks, etc. And I'm guessing they would need to be cleaned fairly frequently since roads aren't exactly clean. Since they're glass, there's also the issue of sun glare, unless they come up with a non-reflective surface, but I feel like that would make them less efficient, though I'm not really sure. And then there's the cost, the roads around here are shit already and they're only asphalt, how are they gonna pay for fucking solar panels? Maybe it could be feasible in the future when solar panels are cheap and easy to make, but I can't see this happening any time soon.

Yeah, when a normal road breaks they just go get a dumptruck full of asphalt and patch things up. With this there's glass and technology to replace $$$.

This whole thing is so overblown. A cool concept but people are ignoring the obvious problems with it and saying "OMG FUND THIS NOW!!!!" when it is years away from being even conceptually feasible.

[Gary Horneck]

Good idea for the future, but how about a solar array on every rooftop in the country to start off.

[squidmaster]

Good idea for the future, but how about a solar array on every rooftop in the country to start off.

exactly

[Gary Horneck]

From 2009 -

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-08/solar-panels-built-roads-could-be-future-energy?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=solar-panels-built-into-roads-could-be-the-future-of-energy

[mrsleeve]

we had this discussion a while back

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=181323&highlight=solar+road

My 1st response in that thread is appropriate here as well

It cost anywhere from a million a mile to 10million, or even a billion a or more a mile in places. For conventional road building.


You have any idea what this shit will cost build and maintain ..................................shudders at the though.

[Sailor37]

I keep seeing this all over the net, I laugh every time I see it....almost as funny as lunar solar power.

I see maybe some busy city intersections or streets with lane changes during rush hours, but that's as far as this idea will go.

[jaywood]

It's a cool idea IMO, but not for roads. I think it is more suitable for large open areas where cars don't travel 60+MPH. Ie; parking lots, shopping malls, etc.

[rturbo 930]

It's a cool idea IMO, but not for roads. I think it is more suitable for large open areas where cars don't travel 60+MPH. Ie; parking lots, shopping malls, etc.

The problem with that though, is that during the day, most of the panels will be covered.

I've seen a few solar farms around here, which is probably a good idea. Ugly, but functional. Rooftop solar panels in the city is the best idea IMO. A lot of buildings in the city have flat roofs not being used. Not so sure I'd want them in my neighborhood though, I've seen them on a few houses and they're a bit of an eyesore. I'm sure they'll come up with something more discrete/attractive soon enough though.

[Pantless Spency]

iduno.
its pretty convincing and seems very logical.




i just think they need a different "grip" design, anything above 25 on that bumpy stuff might not be a very smooth ride.

[///M42 sport]

I"m not convinced that they can absorb enough power to drive itself in the winter especially while a snow storm is going on and its -10 degrees and cloudy the whole month.

And I doubt that the energy companies are gonna let the consumers reap the benefits of getting the energy from the road.

Also I bet it wont stand up to oil spills.

[Jaxx_]

It seems like a cool concept--I hadn't heard of it before. I'm all for infrastructure improvements. We need to spend money on infrastructure projects if we want to stay ahead of the rest of the world.

However... I'm concerned about the longevity of the panels, and the cost. We'll see where it goes.

[varg]

This has been all over lately and I have some issues with it. There are several fundamental problems with the concept. First off is cost, completely tearing up roadways and installing wiring and they-don't-exist-yet panels is a monumentally expensive concept. Second, we have implementation - we haven't seen any viable prototypes, they must be extremely durable and provide good traction while being modular, waterproof, efficient and relatively cheap. I think it's a poorly thought out idea and will never work, there is plenty of far more viable real estate for solar arrays such as roof space and unsettled, inarable land.

[F34R]

I agree with getting them on the roof of your homes, I don't see them logical on the roads.