AUG 19

Interesting reasoning: "... or else we'd have them already." That could be applied to any human achievement couldn't it? It's hardly a valid reason to not attempt something.
Remember, these panels will not just produce power, they'll act as the transmission/distribution system as well. Check out http://solarroadways.com/faq.shtml

Surely the same could be said of any new invention. 'We're not doing it already, so it can't be cost-effective or practical'. There are quite a few things that once we weren't doing, and now are cost-effective and practial. Computers, planes, cars etc.

Id you go through their website thoroughly, you'll see that they explain in quite some detail where this will help remove costs elsewhere - yes, each panel is currently expensive because they don't have the scope to mass-produce them yet, but all the other areas that we can avoid costs on by using these are quite noticeable. Even without the cost angle, the other benefits stack up hugely.

90% of the Solar Roadways critics attack it as being "too expensive for a road". What they ignore is that it's not just a road, but a power station AND an early-warning system. Considering that a single nuke plant costs upwards of $10 billion to build, and you can't drive on a nuke plant, suddenly the cost argument is changed.

And when you also consider that old Solar Roadway modules won't need to be stored at Yucca Mountain for the next million years, even as they keep us from depending on coal, oil or gas, that changes the cost argument yet again in the Solar Roadways' favor.

This idea and technology does sound a little crazy but if it didn't have some potential why would the federal government be giving them money to try it out. Possibly because this is the beginning of us getting them. If you read their website http://www.solarroadways.com/ They actually discuss the angle of the panels, the heating panels and the materials they are making the road out of in more detail addressing concerns and explaining why they think it will work. They also admit that this technology is not perfect yet but they are working on it. They do not want this to be a rushed quick fix. This is ingenuity at it's best. Taking the time to make sure it is right.

I think it is a great idea to build roads like this. Then figure out a way for electric cars to run on the roads while using the solar energy to keep the cars charged!

I am concerned that this kind of road might have unforeseen dangers.

Would a person who alighted from their vehicle and happened to step onto the roadway be electrocuted or possibly blinded (or possibly temporarily blinded) by stray photons?

What happens when the road gets wet during a rain event? Does the road become an electrocution hazard?

Could the road interfere with the electronic systems of automobiles?

Would such a road cause television interference, or interference with essential services?

If you park a car on it, the sun can't get to it - seems stupid to me. That $750k would be better spent putting solar panels on some of the big a$$ buildings in Phoenix where there are hardly any Solar Panels but plenty of sun....

http://www.earthtechling.com/2...y-parking/
The Cincinnati Zoo covered its parking lot with a solar canopy (see link).
This solar canopy looks great - not sure we don't cover all roads and parking lots with these.

I've read elsewhere about a technology that harvests the vibration wave from rolling cars and convert it to electricity by using piezoelectric material. Should be ideal for parking lots and highways as a supplement of solar power at nights.

I agree with Phoenix Woman, these wouldn't just be everyday panels, they would have much more uses and are worth at least the price of the initial testing.

1) As to whether or not it is productive to use a lot (which would be partially covered by cars) for the purposes of solar power, the space in which cars are not parked, including the lanes, empty spaces, etc. would probably generate enough energy to make up for any car that is parked.
2) As to whether or not this project is to expensive to be taken realistically, I am of the opinion that any investment in greener living is for the better. Quite a few accidents found on the way to greatness are now functional facets of living. For instance, ehem. The slinky. And if that's not good enough for you, penicilin.
3) If space (or lack thereof by way of some parked car) is the issue, what about rooftops? If solar heating in homes were prodominent, the technology for solar roads might be, if not more readily available, then at least not as shockingly futuristic. Although solar homes do not operate with the same degree of functionality as these solar roadways, they...could?

I have a lot of faith in Steven Chu, so I assume the govt. has an intelligent reason for betting on this technology (not sure about GE). However, I don't think that it will be implemented in the way it is being marketed by Solar Roadways.

As others have said; building overhead solar structures for parking lots or even major roads seems to make a great deal more sense in terms of cost, practicality and functionality, even if it lacks the glitz and glitter of embedded LEDs. So much energy is wasted cooling off a hot car that's been sitting in direct sunlight--the efficiency gained by a little shade is an easy sell even without the pricey PV panels on top.

Also, if you're going through the trouble of replacing a roadway with these things, wouldn't it be logical to include a piezoelectric element to recapture some kinetic energy, especially in high traffic zones?

Finally, yes, parked cars would block the sun from some of the panels (minus another point), but there's also an aesthetic factor regarding the LEDs--I drive down the freeways at night and always see electronic billboards sporting mottled black spots where the lights have failed. It looks crappy. And no one ever fixes it. I see no reason why these solar roadways should be any different...

yes, its needs to have more effeciency while the componet sizes are reduced, that way its not so big

I am not so sure the solar shade idea is really that great or worth the cost. The company Aptera is about to start producing a car that has its heating and cooling system on at all times. The reason it can be on at all times is because the car has a solar panel on the roof.

Also note that parking spaces are just the place to test these, streets are the ultimate goals where most streets are open to light. Especially country roads that currently use asphalt. Driveways would be a great place for them as well once they become economical, which they can. I say this because most people park in their garage and who wants to pay for electric bills and gas/oil anyways! I don't!

It's going to happen and will be part of an automated traffic system. If the road can produce electricity, the vehicles can be charged as they drive. A little bit like how an electric train takes power from an overhead cable. This enables electric cars to greatly expand their journey distance between plug-in charges.
It also points the way to the next stage in development of an automatic pilot for vehicles. If they're taking power from a track they need accurate steering so let the vehicle do the steering. In fact why not let the vehicle do the whole lot steering, braking etc. The technology exists. Think of scalextric cars with distance sensors. One lane for trucks, one lane for cars all travelling at a safe distance from each other at a uniform speed.
Also if the vehicle is taking care of the driving then the driver can do other things- salesmen can swing round their seat to the office part of the car, make phonecalls, send emails, prepare for the next meeting etc. Truck drivers could roll their trucks 24/7 without having to stop for obligatory breaks from driving.
It's not at all practical in cities but on long distance motorway journeys it's the only way to go.

Good idea, will not work well in northern climates, since there is snow. In any event I do not see this as a large scale solution, but if may help in certain situations.

Neat idea. My only concern is resulting water run-off as these panels are non-permeable. We already have a huge issue with resulting flood plains as a result of water re-absorption issues from existing concrete roadways and parking lots. Asphalt is a little better these days as it is designed to allow some water to soak through it.