Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodlad
They're solar panels. They generate electricity that can go back into the grid. According to the article " a four-lane, one-mile stretch of road with panels could generate enough power for 500 homes."
There's also the possibility of using the electricity generated by the road to re-charge electric/hybrid autos while they drive.http://www.dvice.com/archives/2011/0...ess-car-ch.php
Obviously like others have stated the technology isn't really there at this point to make it economically feasible. That doesn't mean that these sorts of concepts aren't worth pursuing. |
For the 2 bolded reasons, I could see something like this, catching on in the right areas. Not any time soon though, but the ability to have a stretch of highway around a city that puts power back into the city could be a wise investment. Once electric cars are the norm, these solar panel stretches become toll roads. Drivers pay to re-fuel(energize) as they drive. Depending on the life span and maintenance costs of the solar panel roadway, they could potentially be profitable, or at least no more of a money hole than the standard highway.