Smart roads proposed solar technology

Like a giant video game. More or less this is how the roads would be in the U.S. if the Solar Roadways project were to become a reality.
This is an initiative that seeks to transform the routes across the country in "smart roads" constructed with solar panels.
Recently, the U.S. Transportation Department awarded a contract to that company $ 100,000 to continue developing a prototype solar panel resistant to replace traditional asphalt highways.
Each panel, four meters by four meters, has the capacity to produce 7.6 kilowatts per day and as he told BBC World Brusaw Scott, one of the two founders of the company, if these pathways are implemented throughout the country, generate three times more electricity than it needs throughout the United States.

To give an idea on a smaller scale, one mile four-lane built with these panels could generate (and store) close enough electricity to supply 500 homes.


Not only helps in the fight against climate change because it precludes the use of bitumen, a petroleum derivative, it also opens the way-a very appropriate metaphor in this case for electric cars because they can be recharged at any instead of the road, says the company.

Another advantage of the panels is that they "have built a kind of heating to prevent accumulation of snow during the winter."
"This will allow the Department of Transportation to save much of the budget that goes to the vehicles to clear roads of snow shovels and other tools," he told BBC World Brusaw.

As for the signaling system, no need to paint the lines on the route: it contains LED lamps (English acronym that means light emitting diode) that light marking the white and yellow stripes, "which makes them more visible at night, especially for people with vision problems, and when it rains ". Moreover, as also have a sensor that recognizes the weight if there is an animal, a pedestrian or another car nearby, has the ability to tell the driver whether to stop or slow the march.
According to Solar Roadways, it takes about 5,000 million of these solar panels (4m. X 4m.) To cover all the paved areas of the country. If we consider that each panel has a value of about $ 10,000 total cost is exorbitant.

Brusaw However for long term benefits are such that the costs are compensated.
But for this project will be implemented in practice remains to test the material and assess its strength, because "it would be the first time that a car driving on glass.
For this reason, in this first phase, the idea is to install solar panels in parking lots, "where cars travel at lower speeds," explains Brusaw told the BBC.

Solar Roadways is expected that the first plant to manufacture these panels become operational within two years.