A Road to A Green Future
by Evan Strock
It has been estimated that if all the roads in America were transformed to solar roadways, we would yield three times the amount of energy that is currently used in the nation.
Solar road panels are structurally engineered, hexagonal, interlocking, photovoltaic cells that can hold 250,000 lbs. That is about four-times as heavy as a semi truck, so there’s not much to debate about durability. The panels’ surfaces are based off tempered glass, technology that has been around for about 350 years. The durability of the dual-layered laminated glass surface will eliminate potholes and road deterioration hazardous to drivers. The panels contain six LED lights each and microprocessors allowing the cells to display desired configurations and communicate with others. Roads will never have to be repainted and can conveniently be reprogrammed to change configuration. Kids would be able to change the layout of the playground area, all while the school is gaining its electricity needs.
Solar roadways will have a cable corridor with two individual channels. One will house accessible wires, and the other will be used for runoff storm water and melted snow. Instead of relying on centralized power systems, solar roadways would become the power grid. Solar roadways would generate power from every road, parking lot, etc. meaning no more power outages.
The pressure recognizing cells can alert drivers and maintenance workers of obstructions like fallen trees or wildlife crossing the road. This smart system will decrease accidents and save wildlife because it has the ability to configure warning messages on the road. Solar road panels for the northeast have been designed to use collected solar energy to power heating elements, keeping the panels a few degrees above freezing. The heated elements will prevent snow and ice from covering the road. This will save money and the environment because we won’t need snow removal services to excessively salt and sand roads. There should be no more accidents due to snow and ice; no shoveling and the melted water can be recycled.
Not only will solar roadways pay for themselves after being installed, they will improve our economy by creating an abundance of sustainable jobs.
Solar Roadways Incorporated achieved 220% of their one million dollar fundraising goal through crowd funding website Indiegogo. The United States contributed $850,000 in seed funding and is strongly supported by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo. The huge response to initial fundraising shows that this is a promising concept and many people are eager to expand the process.
Two prototypes, Phase 1 and Phase 2, have been created with this money. Initial funding for Phase 1 was insufficient to test the dual-layered laminated glass and heating element. Phase 2 was able to test the desired glass surface and it easily passed the load, traction, and impact resistance testing.
Trucks with hazardous materials, school buses and public buses can be monitored and fitted with controls to ensure public safety and terrorists would not have opportunity to shut down the decentralized grid.
It seems the only thing holding this concept back is the uncertainty of expenses. A group of engineers have been hired and are currently calculating financial expenses. Every significant idea has a start up cost, and that hasn’t prohibited them from being attempted before. Solar roadways are supported by more than enough information to provoke a greater startup.
[Photo, Solar Roadways, by POMAH Magician licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0]
by Evan Strock
It has been estimated that if all the roads in America were transformed to solar roadways, we would yield three times the amount of energy that is currently used in the nation.
Solar road panels are structurally engineered, hexagonal, interlocking, photovoltaic cells that can hold 250,000 lbs. That is about four-times as heavy as a semi truck, so there’s not much to debate about durability. The panels’ surfaces are based off tempered glass, technology that has been around for about 350 years. The durability of the dual-layered laminated glass surface will eliminate potholes and road deterioration hazardous to drivers. The panels contain six LED lights each and microprocessors allowing the cells to display desired configurations and communicate with others. Roads will never have to be repainted and can conveniently be reprogrammed to change configuration. Kids would be able to change the layout of the playground area, all while the school is gaining its electricity needs.
Solar roadways will have a cable corridor with two individual channels. One will house accessible wires, and the other will be used for runoff storm water and melted snow. Instead of relying on centralized power systems, solar roadways would become the power grid. Solar roadways would generate power from every road, parking lot, etc. meaning no more power outages.
The pressure recognizing cells can alert drivers and maintenance workers of obstructions like fallen trees or wildlife crossing the road. This smart system will decrease accidents and save wildlife because it has the ability to configure warning messages on the road. Solar road panels for the northeast have been designed to use collected solar energy to power heating elements, keeping the panels a few degrees above freezing. The heated elements will prevent snow and ice from covering the road. This will save money and the environment because we won’t need snow removal services to excessively salt and sand roads. There should be no more accidents due to snow and ice; no shoveling and the melted water can be recycled.
Not only will solar roadways pay for themselves after being installed, they will improve our economy by creating an abundance of sustainable jobs.
Solar Roadways Incorporated achieved 220% of their one million dollar fundraising goal through crowd funding website Indiegogo. The United States contributed $850,000 in seed funding and is strongly supported by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo. The huge response to initial fundraising shows that this is a promising concept and many people are eager to expand the process.
Two prototypes, Phase 1 and Phase 2, have been created with this money. Initial funding for Phase 1 was insufficient to test the dual-layered laminated glass and heating element. Phase 2 was able to test the desired glass surface and it easily passed the load, traction, and impact resistance testing.
Trucks with hazardous materials, school buses and public buses can be monitored and fitted with controls to ensure public safety and terrorists would not have opportunity to shut down the decentralized grid.
It seems the only thing holding this concept back is the uncertainty of expenses. A group of engineers have been hired and are currently calculating financial expenses. Every significant idea has a start up cost, and that hasn’t prohibited them from being attempted before. Solar roadways are supported by more than enough information to provoke a greater startup.
[Photo, Solar Roadways, by POMAH Magician licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0]