Solar Roads?

[MadmanO/T People]

Electricity-generating roads made from solar panels? Sounds like an interesting idea!

http://www.wimp.com/solarhighways/


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[thinfourth2]

Problem 1

Snow

Problem 2

Cars on road aren't transparent

[Morningside]

Haha. Never thought of that So thats the M25 out then

[EvilChap]

I like the idea, has some potential.

Those solar charged cats eyes are a brilliant idea and prove plenty of light does reach the roads for making energy

I wonder if they could use a device to harness the heat from the roads as well?

[vxr8mate]

Saw an article some months ago that said we will soon see solar panels in various materials ranging from roads to buildings all generating power. It’s apparently down to advancements in panel technology.

[Morningside]

That to me is the main killer for solar panels. If they can get the price down to £10 a sq metre then we all all in luck.

[Bowskill]

This would make repairs after accidents easy if they aren't too difficult to remove and replace. The idea sounds amazing to me, the next step would surely be to have them able to heat up and melt snow/ice as well? That would be epic.

[johnnysniper]

the idea definetely has potential

thinfourth2 said:

Problem 1

Snow

Problem 2

Cars on road aren't transparent

what's the problem about snow? technically snow can easily be removed by vents or temperature

i see another problem - vandalism. these panels have to be really protected.

Edited by johnnysniper on Friday 1st October 14:02

[SR06]

So instead of bombing small countries for their oil we'll bomb small countries for their sand, soda ash, and lime?

[Batfink]

I always thought you could have solar panels on the motorway lights so the roads do not use power off the national grid..