Completely stupid:

1. They have to last over 20 years and still we are not able building roads being functional for one winter.

2. The shadow will confuse the inverters

3. Safety issue: You have to have grip with your wheels!

4. Dirt on your system as it is on the road.

5. What happens in case of an accident, a fire, …

Completely stupid:

1. They have to last over 20 years and still we are not able building roads being functional for one winter.

2. The shadow will confuse the inverters

3. Safety issue: You have to have grip with your wheels!

4. Dirt on your system as it is on the road.

5. What happens in case of an accident, a fire, …

Exactly. If they go and put so much of precious semiconductor materials in these roadways and they aren't even half as efficient, what's the point?

The amount of solar energy received during winter months decreases drastically. What happens to these roadways then?

During heavy rains, what will happen if some of the water spills onto the circuitry?

Nobody knows how much maintenance is required and how much will it cost.

Clearly, much more brainstorming is required to make it more feasible.

Not a good idea.

But, Dominik Lausch and Muhammad Rehan this project through indiegogo has not only attracted attention but has also been successful in collecting close to $2 million till now. Therefore my point is whether this concept can be made more feasible and realistic by any means? Or is it just a crazy idea and should be dropped immediately?

Countries which are densely populated and land is not easily available for farming of panels may try this idea, but still it would remain a debatable topic regarding the feasibility. If with all the precautions applied in solar roadways, this system is cheaper than one may think of implementing it. Still in this case a limit for the road should be decided like:

What traffic density is allowed?

How much heavy traffic is allowed?

What would be the frequency of people walking on this road?

And what would be the expense of maintenance as you may need continuous cleaning due to dust and rain.

I agree with the questions you raised sir, but some other areas should also be looked at, like-

1. These roadways should be avoided in areas with frequent traffic jams, because traffic jam means, they always remain shadowed by vehicles.

2. Roadways usually used by heavy vehicles should not be made "solar", as they will be prone to more damage.

3. A "solar" highway being used 24/7 by vehicles cannot be easily repaired in case of malfunction.

As far as densely populated countries are concerned, non-availability of land is not a problem, because solar panels can be established on rooftops of houses through "rent a roof" schemes. This has been a success in some parts of India and also abroad and I can't see why this can't be achieved on a global scale. It has many advantages-

1. These solar panels get clear sunshine through the day.

2. Solar tracking ability can be incorporated depending on the company.

3. In case of damage or malfunction, they can be easily repaired.

True is case of installing the Panels on roof tops. I think on Solar road ways we are on the same path i.e. it need certain regulations so that effectiveness of the system should not be hurt..

This needs a detailed study as millions of dollars are involved. To start with some simulation studies must be conducted and thereafter a pilot project can be made. This seems to be a research oriented project where feasibility studies must be made before coming to any conclusion.

Exactly sir. I don't think this project should be rushed. In fact, recently, the founders of the project, the Brusaws, released a page, refuting the claims of some news media(link has been provided below). But still some pertinent questions remain, like they haven't mentioned an approximate cost of the project and also more importantly its cost of maintenance. But at the same time, they have clarified many doubts. I think this is a positive new concept and I only wanted to clear a few doubts that came to my mind. As this is a completely new idea, there might be some other problems that may have escaped notice.

http://www.solarroadways.com/clearingthefreakinair.shtml

Interesting points about how solar panels may not work due to constant shadows and the problems associated with maintenance and repair. How about MEMS based systems to actually generate power from the stresses imposed?

Typically, you need at least 2 years for a solar panel to produce the energy needed for its fabrication in an optimal orientation. On the ground this will be much longer simply from geometric consideration, notwithstanding other issues like the thickness of the glass plate put in front of it.

Also, their was dubious claim that you could melt snow on the road. I don't see how this can be possible. Asphalt is a pretty good thermal solar collector. If snow does not melt on asphalt, it will not melt on this stuff. In hot climate, I am wondering what will be the temperature of the solar cell stuck in a close environnement. This is bad both for the efficiency and for the lifetime of the cell.

Off course, it is always possible to make something work. It this case however, it is largely likely to provide no environmental gain.

If we look at countries benefiting from a high solar irradiance, why not driving under solar panels rather than on it. In other words, solar panels could be installed on bridges, in similar fashion to what has been recently installed in London (see http://www.gizmag.com/worlds-largest-solar-bridge-london/30668/). In countries with a continuously warm to hot climate, this could have the additional benefit to diminish the car interior temperature thus decreasing the need for air conditioning while maintaining the drivers' comfort to a constant level.

Actually, a significant contribution of solar panel is to reduce significantly heating load since they act as a thermal shield. Personally, I would be concerned with the aerodynamic interaction with the car and truck below. You could easily increase drag on them by adding such structure.

Well if one is really concerned about solar farms using a lot of land; which could be used for other productive activities one must find other places where we can put the solar panels for electricity generation. While the solar roadways is one such idea aimed at this direction, it is certainly not fool-proof to say the least. Countries having canals and rivers not being used in any way (hydro projects or inland navigation), solar panels can be put on top of these water bodies. It will provide two benefits-

1. Produce electricity much in the same way as solar farms do.

2. During hot summer months it can almost eliminate evaporation of water from these water bodies and this can be diverted for irrigation or other activities.

This has been successfully attempted in India (see the link).

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/tapping-solar-power-avoiding-water-wastage/article3353891.ece

I agree that there are many problems, both natural and man made.

I understand from the images and videos, that, the project by indiegogo is too expensive, close to $2 million. IF such a costly project becomes a great success and IF the public also learn to maintain and use such an infrastructure, our generations may escape from ZERO ENERGY risk. I wish them all success. After their success let them train common man.

May be, it is their DREAM Project. As our Former President Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam said their dream will not allow them to sleep. It is miles before they go to sleep. Please wish them all the success.

Dr.S.Ravindran

Over all the discussions with Pros and Cons regerading the project, the project is really too expensive, and there are many other possible ways for PV based electricity. One of them is mounting panel over the canals (link tagged by Shailesh). And of course, Why not under the panels than being on the panels.

Still, I join with Dr.Ravindran and wish them gud luck.

Thanks to shailesh for intiating the discussion and the other members who replied.. It brought many things in.

Thank you Sheik M. Sultan for your review. But there are still many unanswered questions about this new project. So all points of view and discussion in the future are welcome.