Solar Roadways proposed combining a paved surface with solar generation, lighting and other functions. Its exuberant 2014 promotional video made an engineering concept unusually memorable.
A proposal is not a measured national result
The older article repeated claims about cutting emissions by 75 percent and producing more electricity than a country uses. Those are not established outcomes of the video. Solar Roadways itself now describes the original promotional imagery as out of date.
Ask questions that can be tested
Useful evaluation would compare actual electricity output, maintenance, traction, durability and lifetime cost with alternative uses of the same area and budget. Heating a surface also consumes energy, so gross generation and net benefit are different quantities. The concept remains interesting to discuss without guaranteeing a payback period or presenting future vehicle charging as an already demonstrated road network.
Further information: Solar Roadways’ own project information
Explore more: another ambitious design concept; technology and weather-inspired design.
Video: Solar FREAKIN' Roadways! (published by Solar Roadways).
No comments