This makes me wonder about what would be the problem of using metal grates for roads rather than standard paving.
Pros: no potholes, easily replaced, no pooling of water.
Cons: cost, slippery, durability?
Anyway, despite the cost prohibitive nature of the roads suggested in the OP's post, they should be encouraged, even if just on a trial basis. Can always learn something from it.
It would have to be textured (would that inhibit solar generation?) especially in climates where the temperature comes close to freezing as tires turn hard at low temps and it would be like a hockey puck on ice. Also how would rain water/melted snow drain as I could see major hydroplaning issues as pavement is permeable which I don't see being replicated with glass. Doesn't seem possible without radical changes in tire and glass technology.
It would have to be textured (would that inhibit solar generation?) especially in climates where the temperature comes close to freezing as tires turn hard at low temps and it would be like a hockey puck on ice. Also how would rain water/melted snow drain as I could see major hydroplaning issues as pavement is permeable which I don't see being replicated with glass. Doesn't seem possible without radical changes in tire and glass technology.
Clearly you didn't watch the video. All of those were addressed
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."
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.
That's what I would like to know. It's looks really cool but is the cost going to be 100x more than asphalt? How resistant to damage are they? There are a lot of asshats out there just waiting to wreck these things.
For all the people thinking that it might be cost-prohibitive, what is the cost of digging millions of tons of asphalt out of the ground to use on roads just so that we have to re-pave them every 8 or 10 years? Asphalt is not particularly well suited to be used in our climate either and yet we have accepted the costs associated with building millions of miles of roads paved with bitumen.
As with all things, maybe there is a better way...
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As with all things, maybe there is a better way...
Maybe there is a better way, but what are the costs and what would be the savings with these solar panel roads? Seems like an important piece of information.
<National Report>This week, a scientific research facility in Wyoming made a startling discovery that is certain to change the way millions of Americans look at the environmentalism movement, after they found conclusive evidence that solar panels not only convert the sun’s energy into usable energy, but that they are also draining the sun of its own energy, possibly with catastrophic consequences far worse than global warming.
Cool concept. I could potentially see this doing ok for sidewalks and driveways (mainly as solar panels to power homes) and reducing the need to salt after a light shoveling. It could potentially be a useful design for service vehicles at the airport. Not for the actual runway perhaps, but along both sides for service vehicles and also as additional lighting to the runway itself.
I think this is very cool but would cost so much it wont go anywhere. Although how cool would it be to have a heated driveway that also supply's power to your home.
I think this is very cool but would cost so much it wont go anywhere. Although how cool would it be to have a heated driveway that also supply's power to your home.
My question is at what point does it become a necessity and cost doesnt matter? You could argue that something like this needs to happen eventually, so when is it just about having the resources and not just the "cash"
well I can only think about all the big semi's and dump trucks that dont obey the bridge laws now.
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Thank you for everything CP. Good memories and thankful for everything that has been done to help me out. I will no longer take part on these boards. Take care, Go Flames Go.
