Solar roads are coming

The problem with "heated" solar roadways to melt snow off is the power usage. The amount of sunlight throughout winter usually drops dramatically, reducing the available solar power. And heating requires a lot of energy.

Friends of mine live "off grid" in Vermont with a solar and generator powered house. Usually during the winter, with the combination of snow cover (which has to be cleaned off the solar panels) and especially the regular cloud cover, they need to run the generator more than use the solar.

But you know, as nevadanick posted, if the material those panels are made out of can actually stand up to heavy truck traffic more than asphalt, then even without the solar ability the cost savings of using the material would be worth it. And this is a BIG "if".

I think the solar road is already done for, for reasons already mentioned. The energy required to clear the snow on a highway is two orders of magnitude greater than the energy incident on the road area. And it's crazy to drive big trucks over your billion dollar solar farm.

Building a solar collector roof over the highway might work. At least it could be tilted maximize collector efficiency and shake off the snow.

May be a great idea but the power company giants and the oil industry will block it before it happens.
Just like a news article I seen about solar farms being blocked by big power.
Greed usually rules!!!

I have seen things like this posted on the internet before. When ever I do more looking into it the experts say that it will not work.

I'm all for solar shingles and such.

We are not going to see much investment in any renewable energy for awhile though.

I'm not sure how those solar roads would stand up with freeze/thaw and 160,000 pound Semi's like my Brother used to drive.

But I did just post a comment on Facebook,, I should perhaps keep a copy.

I recommended roofing over the roads with Solar Roofs.. Open sides (like covered bridges) but Solar Roofs. This would lessen (but not eliminate) snow and rain effects on the road, it would shade the road. NO vegetation would be harmed if the roofs were properly placed. and a roof over the entire road means that low-energy LED lighting can be used to provide a soft glare free light at night instead of pools of overly bright light. I see it as a win for everyone not named Kotch.

If they can withstand 18wheeler traffic then they have a winner without the solar.

I'll use the solar roads to recharge my personal jetpack. Although the personal jetpack will probably appear before you see solar roads.

It's starting to sound like "Mechanic's Illustrated" from the 50's out there. :)

wonder what the do to give decent traction comparable to asphalt or concrete.

Around here they would last till the first winter storm when everyone puts on the studded tires and wears groves in the roadway and then they spread the 1/4 minus gravel on the road to grind into it.

They promised us jet-packs and flying cars and all we get are solar roads and Twitter........?

Solar roads, great. We'll be able to drive our flying cars on them!