Solar Roadways, an idea that's time has come?

[CasperParks]

Solar Roadways (http://solarroadways.com/intro.shtml)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU

Starting an independent thread for this. At the time of this posting, the video has topped sixteen million views. Concept looks great in videos. Will it work as claimed? Could it function through a number of back to back Polar Vortexes during winter months? North East and Midwest polar vortex dips would prove or disprove if solar roadways and parking lots could function in the snow-belts. First, I would like to see it work in parking lots prior to covering roadways in snow-country. I think it is worth a shot. Even if it doesn't work as claimed in cold parts of the planet, it would likely work in warmer portions.

It appears that Nathan Fillion (Castle / Firefly) and George Takei (Star Trek) have stepped on-board. For information visit their website Solar Roadways. (http://solarroadways.com/intro.shtml)

Hopefully over the next few months, there are videos of the product being installed on larger scales and follow-ups as to how it is working.

[Charlie Prime]

Sounds cool.

Are solar roadways economically competitive with other forms of energy?

[CasperParks]

Sounds cool.

Are solar roadways economically competitive with other forms of energy?

They are claiming less expensive to install and maintain than regular roadways. I think they would work in warmer climates, not convinced of upper mid west and north east. I am of the mindset, prove it through usage in parking lots and sidewalks first for the colder states.

[epo333]

Sounds like these would do well placed on each side of airport runways. Would still need voltage controls and storage batteries, but might power runway marker lights either as main or back-up power. Many airports are switching to energy efficient LEDs, that would be a great match up...!

[GLAD_Engineer]

The idea of solar roadways, while extremely Tron-like and cool, is impossible. First, the cost is exponentially more massive than anything that the U.S. could provide. A solar panel, with electronics, and LEDs? It would cost trillions of dollars to pave the road system. The only thing more expensive than the solar panels is the LEDs, which are really expensive. Second, the durability of this concept is irrational. The panels are made of plastic. There is a reason that roads are made of asphalt or concrete. It's durable and adds a large amount of traction to the road. Now imagine the traction with plastic. It would eventually get worn smooth, and far faster than any concrete or asphalt road. Third, the entire road system would have to be redesigned. Thousands of miles of copper cable would have to be placed beneath the road, which would cost billions of dollars. Fourth, and probably the most important, is weight distribution. In the video, the man drives a small tractor across the panels. Now imagine the weight of a fully loaded semi bouncing across the surface. The panels would crack or become smooth. While the idea is sound, its application is near impossible. Sorry for ruining the dreams of Tron fans, but it's impossible.

[Dragonfire]

The idea of solar roadways, while extremely Tron-like and cool, is impossible. First, the cost is exponentially more massive than anything that the U.S. could provide. A solar panel, with electronics, and LEDs? It would cost trillions of dollars to pave the road system. The only thing more expensive than the solar panels is the LEDs, which are really expensive. Second, the durability of this concept is irrational. The panels are made of plastic. There is a reason that roads are made of asphalt or concrete. It's durable and adds a large amount of traction to the road. Now imagine the traction with plastic. It would eventually get worn smooth, and far faster than any concrete or asphalt road. Third, the entire road system would have to be redesigned. Thousands of miles of copper cable would have to be placed beneath the road, which would cost billions of dollars. Fourth, and probably the most important, is weight distribution. In the video, the man drives a small tractor across the panels. Now imagine the weight of a fully loaded semi bouncing across the surface. The panels would crack or become smooth. While the idea is sound, its application is near impossible. Sorry for ruining the dreams of Tron fans, but it's impossible.

Next thing you know, someone's building a model of it......