Solar roadways could help address climate change and generate clean energy. The concept involves replacing asphalt roads with strong, durable solar panels that can withstand traffic loads while also harvesting solar energy. In addition to power generation, smart solar roadways could help with water collection, power electric vehicles, and add features like lighting and heating. While questions remain around the technology's durability and costs, solar roadways may provide environmental, economic and social benefits if further developed and implemented on a wider scale.
The document discusses the concept of solar panel roads. It describes how the roads would be constructed with three layers - a surface layer for traction, an electronics layer containing solar panels and microprocessors, and a base layer for distributing power. It outlines benefits like producing renewable energy, enabling electric vehicles by allowing charging anywhere, and providing self-heating to eliminate snow and ice buildup. Implementing solar panel roads nationwide could significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.
The document discusses solar roadways, which are roads paved with solar panels that can generate electricity. It describes the concept of replacing traditional asphalt roads and parking lots with structured solar panels. Each panel has three layers - a top translucent road surface, a middle electronics layer to control lighting and power distribution, and a bottom base plate to transmit power. The document estimates that covering the roads and parking lots at VIT Chennai Campus with solar panels could generate over 6.5 GWh of electricity annually, offsetting the campus's energy needs. It also discusses challenges like high upfront costs, durability questions, and variability of sunlight, as well as benefits like job creation and reduced environmental impact.
Introduction
Solar technologies are broadly
characterized as either passive solar
or active solar depending on the way
they capture, convert and distribute
solar energy. Active solar techniques
include the use of photovoltaic
panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a
building to the Sun, selecting
materials with favorable thermal
mass or light dispersing properties,
and designing spaces that naturally
circulate air.
A solar roadway is a road surface that
generates electricity by solar power
photovoltaic cells. One current
proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x
3.658 m) panels including solar
Panels and LED signage, that can be
driven on. The concept involves
replacing highways, roads, parking
lots, driveways, and sidewalks with
such a system.
Working principle:
A solar roadway is a series of
structurally engineered solar panels
that are driven upon. The idea is to
replace current petroleum-based
asphalt roads, parking lots, and
driveways with solar road panels that
collect energy to be used by homes
and businesses, and ultimately to be
able to store excess energy in or
alongside the solar roadways. Thus
renewable energy replaces the need
for the current fossil fuels used for
the generation of electricity, whichcuts greenhouse gases and helps in
sustainable development.
Solar road construction:
Existing prototype panels consist
of three layer.
surface layer:
Electronics layer:
Base plate layer:
Advantages of Solar Roadway:
Renewability and life-span
Military and rescue assistance
Roadways already in place
Lighting up of roads
Initial Cost
Disadvantages of Solar Roadway:
Maintenance costs
Seasonal efficiency
Needs a town planning.
Conclusion:
For roughly the same cost of the
current systems (asphalt roads and
fossil fuel burning electricity
generation plants), the Solar
Roadways™ can be implemented. No
more Global Warming. No more
power outages (roaming or
otherwise). Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution. A new secure
highway infrastructure that pays for
itself. A decentralized, self-healing,
secure power grid. No more
dependency on foreign oil.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways as a future transportation system. It introduces solar roadways as a way to develop road surfaces with embedded solar panels to generate electricity. It then discusses how solar roadways work, including their multi-layer structure with a glass top layer, electronics layer below to absorb solar energy, and a base plate layer to distribute power. The document outlines advantages like reduced fossil fuel use, lane illumination, and potential to charge electric vehicles, as well as challenges around maintenance and high initial costs. It provides an example of a prototype solar parking lot constructed in the United States.
Solar Roadways is a completely new and revolutionary technology that would prove itself to be the green technology, saving a lot of fossil fuels and would also be helpful for a much smarter transportation system as it would provide smarter roads.
This document discusses solar roadways, which are roads that generate electricity through solar panels embedded below a glass surface. It provides details on how solar roadways work, including that they are made up of three layers: a road surface/glass layer, electronics layer, and base plate layer. The electronics layer contains photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy to electricity and can heat the road surface. Solar roadways provide benefits like renewable energy generation, road illumination from LEDs, and potential electric vehicle charging. The document describes prototypes created by the company Solar Roadways and a solar parking lot they constructed. It argues solar roadways could provide power at a similar cost to current road/power systems, while reducing pollution and global warming.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways. It describes the key features of solar roadways, including three layers consisting of a glass road surface, electronics layer, and base plate layer. The presentation outlines advantages such as renewable energy generation, road illumination, intelligent transportation systems, and electric vehicle charging. Disadvantages include high initial costs and potential issues with maintenance and seasonal efficiency. The conclusion states that solar roadways could provide a renewable alternative to traditional asphalt roads and power generation if implemented on a large scale.
The document discusses the concept of solar panel roads. It describes how the roads would be constructed with three layers - a surface layer for traction, an electronics layer containing solar panels and microprocessors, and a base layer for distributing power. It outlines benefits like producing renewable energy, enabling electric vehicles by allowing charging anywhere, and providing self-heating to eliminate snow and ice buildup. Implementing solar panel roads nationwide could significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions.
The document discusses solar roadways, which are roads paved with solar panels that can generate electricity. It describes the concept of replacing traditional asphalt roads and parking lots with structured solar panels. Each panel has three layers - a top translucent road surface, a middle electronics layer to control lighting and power distribution, and a bottom base plate to transmit power. The document estimates that covering the roads and parking lots at VIT Chennai Campus with solar panels could generate over 6.5 GWh of electricity annually, offsetting the campus's energy needs. It also discusses challenges like high upfront costs, durability questions, and variability of sunlight, as well as benefits like job creation and reduced environmental impact.
Introduction
Solar technologies are broadly
characterized as either passive solar
or active solar depending on the way
they capture, convert and distribute
solar energy. Active solar techniques
include the use of photovoltaic
panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a
building to the Sun, selecting
materials with favorable thermal
mass or light dispersing properties,
and designing spaces that naturally
circulate air.
A solar roadway is a road surface that
generates electricity by solar power
photovoltaic cells. One current
proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x
3.658 m) panels including solar
Panels and LED signage, that can be
driven on. The concept involves
replacing highways, roads, parking
lots, driveways, and sidewalks with
such a system.
Working principle:
A solar roadway is a series of
structurally engineered solar panels
that are driven upon. The idea is to
replace current petroleum-based
asphalt roads, parking lots, and
driveways with solar road panels that
collect energy to be used by homes
and businesses, and ultimately to be
able to store excess energy in or
alongside the solar roadways. Thus
renewable energy replaces the need
for the current fossil fuels used for
the generation of electricity, whichcuts greenhouse gases and helps in
sustainable development.
Solar road construction:
Existing prototype panels consist
of three layer.
surface layer:
Electronics layer:
Base plate layer:
Advantages of Solar Roadway:
Renewability and life-span
Military and rescue assistance
Roadways already in place
Lighting up of roads
Initial Cost
Disadvantages of Solar Roadway:
Maintenance costs
Seasonal efficiency
Needs a town planning.
Conclusion:
For roughly the same cost of the
current systems (asphalt roads and
fossil fuel burning electricity
generation plants), the Solar
Roadways™ can be implemented. No
more Global Warming. No more
power outages (roaming or
otherwise). Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution. A new secure
highway infrastructure that pays for
itself. A decentralized, self-healing,
secure power grid. No more
dependency on foreign oil.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways as a future transportation system. It introduces solar roadways as a way to develop road surfaces with embedded solar panels to generate electricity. It then discusses how solar roadways work, including their multi-layer structure with a glass top layer, electronics layer below to absorb solar energy, and a base plate layer to distribute power. The document outlines advantages like reduced fossil fuel use, lane illumination, and potential to charge electric vehicles, as well as challenges around maintenance and high initial costs. It provides an example of a prototype solar parking lot constructed in the United States.
Solar Roadways is a completely new and revolutionary technology that would prove itself to be the green technology, saving a lot of fossil fuels and would also be helpful for a much smarter transportation system as it would provide smarter roads.
This document discusses solar roadways, which are roads that generate electricity through solar panels embedded below a glass surface. It provides details on how solar roadways work, including that they are made up of three layers: a road surface/glass layer, electronics layer, and base plate layer. The electronics layer contains photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy to electricity and can heat the road surface. Solar roadways provide benefits like renewable energy generation, road illumination from LEDs, and potential electric vehicle charging. The document describes prototypes created by the company Solar Roadways and a solar parking lot they constructed. It argues solar roadways could provide power at a similar cost to current road/power systems, while reducing pollution and global warming.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways. It describes the key features of solar roadways, including three layers consisting of a glass road surface, electronics layer, and base plate layer. The presentation outlines advantages such as renewable energy generation, road illumination, intelligent transportation systems, and electric vehicle charging. Disadvantages include high initial costs and potential issues with maintenance and seasonal efficiency. The conclusion states that solar roadways could provide a renewable alternative to traditional asphalt roads and power generation if implemented on a large scale.
Introduction
Solar technologies are broadly
characterized as either passive solar
or active solar depending on the way
they capture, convert and distribute
solar energy. Active solar techniques
include the use of photovoltaic
panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a
building to the Sun, selecting
materials with favorable thermal
mass or light dispersing properties,
and designing spaces that naturally
circulate air.
A solar roadway is a road surface that
generates electricity by solar power
photovoltaic cells. One current
proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x
3.658 m) panels including solar
Panels and LED signage, that can be
driven on. The concept involves
replacing highways, roads, parking
lots, driveways, and sidewalks with
such a system.
Working principle:
A solar roadway is a series of
structurally engineered solar panels
that are driven upon. The idea is to
replace current petroleum-based
asphalt roads, parking lots, and
driveways with solar road panels that
collect energy to be used by homes
and businesses, and ultimately to be
able to store excess energy in or
alongside the solar roadways. Thus
renewable energy replaces the need
for the current fossil fuels used for
the generation of electricity, whichcuts greenhouse gases and helps in
sustainable development.
Solar road construction:
Existing prototype panels consist
of three layer.
surface layer:
Electronics layer:
Base plate layer:
Advantages of Solar Roadway:
Renewability and life-span
Military and rescue assistance
Roadways already in place
Lighting up of roads
Initial Cost
Disadvantages of Solar Roadway:
Maintenance costs
Seasonal efficiency
Needs a town planning.
Conclusion:
For roughly the same cost of the
current systems (asphalt roads and
fossil fuel burning electricity
generation plants), the Solar
Roadways™ can be implemented. No
more Global Warming. No more
power outages (roaming or
otherwise). Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution. A new secure
highway infrastructure that pays for
itself. A decentralized, self-healing,
secure power grid. No more
dependency on foreign oil.
REFERENCES:
www.solarroadways.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.solaripedia.com
www.ask.com
This document summarizes a student project on solar roadways. It describes solar roadways as a system of solar panels that can be driven on and generate electricity. The document outlines the key components of solar roadways, including the glass surface layer, electronic layer with solar cells, and base plate layer. It also discusses advantages like reduced fossil fuel use and pollution, as well as challenges like high initial costs. The document reviews case studies of solar roadway prototypes and existing solar roads in France and China.
This document discusses the concept of solar roadways, which embed solar panels and LED lights below a tough glass surface to generate electricity and illuminate roads. A solar roadway consists of a glass top layer, an electronic layer containing photovoltaic cells and controls, and a base plate layer that distributes power. Solar roadways could power electric vehicles through induction charging and provide an intelligent transportation system by programming LED lights. While maintenance costs are a concern, solar roadways could meet a significant portion of India's electricity needs if implemented nationwide and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The Solar Roadway is a series of structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace all current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels that collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses. The renewable energy generated by solar road panels will replace the current need for fossil fuel which is used for generation of electricity as also oil used for driving the vehicles which in turn reduces the greenhouse gases nearly to half. The implementation of Solar Roadways Technology will create the clean energy boom, spurring private investment on a massive scale, with relatively little extra cost. An intelligent highway infrastructure and a self-healing decentralized power grid that will eliminate our need for fossil fuels. Solar Roadways will also features wildlife preservation, the elimination of impervious surfaces, law enforcement, DUI detection, counter-terrorism, etc. It provides a decentralized, secure, intelligent, self-healing power grid which pays for itself. Today more than ever we see and feel the consequences of the climate change. From
melting ice caps, to the rising sea levels, weather changes and temperature rises, there are
more and more natural disasters that we learn about from the news. People have come up with many different kinds of methods and solutions in order to fight these changes but not many of them are as effective as needed. Thus we need to step on more complex approaches and more general and interlinked solutions for solving the pressing problems.There is, however, a technology that can help us to normalize our climate, but also help in our daily lives. We offer Smart Solar Roadways as one possible solution that can drastically change our way of living for better. Smart Solar roads combine different solutions in one – it can help us to improve energy production from solar panels, to collect and distribute rain water, to provide a digital platform for Smart city, to facilitate emerging electric cars and driver-less cars and much more! We believe that this approach can offer many additional benefits to citizens, to the environment and will contribute for sustainable development as a whole. Some may call it even the next “Industrial revolution”, we like to think of it like a better tomorrow. So it’s time to upgrade our infrastructure (especially roads & power grids) with the 21st century technology i.e.
“Solar Roadways”.
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power using photovoltaic and includes solar panels and LED signage, that can be driven on.
This document discusses solar roadways as a solution to power generation and road maintenance issues. It describes the components of solar roadways, which have three layers: a road surface layer made of a translucent, traction-providing material embedded with LEDs and a heating element; an electronics layer containing solar panels, microprocessors and communication devices; and a base plate layer that distributes power and signals while protecting the electronics. The document examines road surveys in India and highlights that solar roadways could generate substantial electricity and illuminate the nation if a small fraction of roads were converted. Features like accident prevention, road illumination, traffic management and electric vehicle charging are reviewed. A case study of a US company prototyping solar parking lots is
1. The document discusses the concept of solar roadways, which involves embedding solar panels into road surfaces to generate electricity. The solar roadways would be made up of three layers - a glass surface layer, an electronics layer containing photovoltaic cells, and a base plate layer to distribute power.
2. In addition to power generation, the solar panels could be programmed to provide instructions to drivers using LEDs for safety and traffic control. The embedded heating elements in the panels could also melt snow and ice, reducing road hazards.
3. It is proposed that solar roadways could provide electricity to homes and businesses while requiring similar costs to traditional asphalt roads. This could help reduce fossil fuel usage, pollution,
Solar roadways generate electricity through photovoltaic cells embedded below a glass surface. They consist of three layers: a glass road surface, an electronics layer to collect solar energy and distribute power, and a base plate layer to protect the electronics. In addition to generating electricity, solar roadways could illuminate roads, display instructions to drivers, and wirelessly charge electric vehicles. While initial costs are high, proponents argue solar roadways could eventually have similar costs to traditional roads and power plants while providing renewable energy and safer transportation.
Solar roadways involves structurally engineered solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight and form an intelligent, decentralized power grid. Each 12' x 12' solar panel connects to surrounding panels, stores energy, and distributes power to connected homes and vehicles. In addition to providing electricity, the solar roadways' embedded LEDs can illuminate roads and warn of hazards. The system aims to achieve energy independence through powering electric vehicles and replacing deteriorating infrastructure. However, high initial costs remain a key disadvantage.
This document discusses solar roadways, which consist of solar panels embedded into roads, parking lots, and walkways to generate renewable energy. They have three layers - a surface layer made of durable, translucent materials with LEDs; an electronic layer with solar panels, microprocessors and sensors; and a bottom layer to distribute power. Solar roadways could power homes and charge electric vehicles. They provide benefits like reducing fossil fuel use, informing drivers, and keeping roads clear in winter. However, they also have high upfront costs compared to traditional asphalt roads. The document references several sources on the technical aspects and feasibility of solar roadway technology.
Today world is facing number of problems such as global warming , pollution, etc., It is due to the usage of pollution causing materials for the sake of comforts but we are in the darkness of destructive technology. So we have to recover it by this technology. this "SOLAR ROADWAYS" are completely recycle & reuse. It is completely pollution free.
The document discusses the benefits of solar power as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel energy sources. It notes that fossil fuels face challenges like rising costs and environmental concerns over climate change. As a result, governments and businesses are increasingly supporting renewable alternatives like solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power. The document proposes constructing solar roads in rural agricultural areas that currently lack reliable power, in order to generate electricity at low cost and provide surplus power to other regions. It suggests enhancing this design by incorporating water collection basins and thermal plates made of materials that absorb heat well, to also harness solar thermal energy and use steam turbines to generate electricity without air pollution or fossil fuels. The conclusion is that this could boost development, incomes and quality of
This document provides an overview of solar roadways, including:
1. Solar roadways use photovoltaic cells embedded below a transparent surface to generate electricity from solar power while also providing traction.
2. Construction involves a road surface layer, electronics layer below containing solar cells and circuitry, and a base layer to distribute power.
3. Benefits include generating renewable energy, powering electric vehicles at rest stops, illuminating roads and managing traffic/snow, but high initial costs are a disadvantage.
The document discusses solar roadways, which consist of structurally engineered solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight. Each solar road panel is 12 feet by 12 feet and interconnects with neighboring panels. The panels become a decentralized, intelligent power grid replacing deteriorating infrastructure. The panels have three layers: a translucent road surface, an electronics layer that converts sunlight to electricity, and a base plate layer that distributes power. Solar roadways could power vehicles and homes, eliminate power lines, and provide illuminated, smart roads. However, initial costs are high and efficiency is currently only 20%.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways as a future transportation system. It discusses how solar roadways could generate electricity through solar panels embedded in road surfaces. It outlines the various layers of a solar roadway, including a glass top layer, an electronics layer with solar cells and LEDs, and a base plate layer. The presentation notes the potential advantages of solar roadways in providing road illumination, power generation, and an intelligent transportation system, but also highlights challenges around maintenance costs and seasonal efficiency. It examines case studies of solar roadway prototypes and suggests implementing the technology in India's 100 planned smart cities could help address power issues.
Solar roadways may sound absurd right now but the fact that solar panels too was a concept that might have sounded absurd to some people back in those days. This is proof that even something as absurd as solar roadways can be the future to sustainable development using renewable energy.
This presentation gives a general idea to the working of solar working roadways with some case studies and some numbers,
Solar Roadways - The future transport system ( Seminar report by Swapnil Patw...Swapneil Patwari
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power photovoltaic cells. One current proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x 3.658 m) panels including solar panels and LED sign-age, that can be driven on. The concept involves replacing highways, roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks with such a system. A layer of embedded LEDs will be used to create traffic warnings or crosswalks, and excess electricity could be used to charge electric vehicles or routed into the power grid. The electrical components will be embedded between layers of extremely durable, textured glass. A solar roadway is a series of structurally engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with solar road panels that collect energy to be used by homes and businesses, and ultimately to be able to store excess energy in or alongside the solar roadways. Thus renewable energy replaces the need for the current fossil fuels used for the generation of electricity, which cuts greenhouse gases and helps in sustainable development.
Parking lots, driveways, and eventually highways are all targets for the panels. If the entire United States Interstate Highway system were surfaced with Solar Roadways panels, it would produce more than three times the amount of electricity currently used nationwide. Existing prototype panels consist of three layers. 1. Road surface layer, 2. Electronics layer, 3. Base plate layer. Road Survey of India: India had a road network of over 42,45,805 kilometers in 2011.
In which national highways and state highways cover 0.05% of total road network.
These highways can produce 450TWh of electricity according to references when they are surfaced by solar panels.
But India needs 991TWh of electricity.
This implies that if 0.1% of total road network of India is surfaced with Solar Roadway panels, it would illuminate our nation. CONCLUSION: For roughly the same cost of the current systems (asphalt roads and fossil fuel burning electricity generation plants), the Solar Roadways can be implemented.
No more Global Warming.
Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution.
A new secure highway infrastructure that pays for itself.
A decentralized, self-healing, secure power grid.
No more dependency on foreign oil.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways. It discusses how solar roadways are constructed with photovoltaic cells embedded below a glass surface to generate electricity from solar energy. The solar roadway panel consists of a glass top layer, an electronic layer containing photovoltaic cells and microprocessors, and a concrete base layer. Solar roadways could power India's road network and reduce accidents by detecting animals on the road surface. While expensive, solar roadways may be cost effective long term and provide benefits like reduced pollution, electricity generation, and safer travel.
San Francisco was founded in 1776 and is a popular tourist destination known for landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower. Alcatraz Island, located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco, was the site of a lighthouse, military prison, and federal prison from 1934 to 1963. China Town is a historic ethnic enclave for Chinese and other Asian immigrants in the city.
Introduction
Solar technologies are broadly
characterized as either passive solar
or active solar depending on the way
they capture, convert and distribute
solar energy. Active solar techniques
include the use of photovoltaic
panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a
building to the Sun, selecting
materials with favorable thermal
mass or light dispersing properties,
and designing spaces that naturally
circulate air.
A solar roadway is a road surface that
generates electricity by solar power
photovoltaic cells. One current
proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x
3.658 m) panels including solar
Panels and LED signage, that can be
driven on. The concept involves
replacing highways, roads, parking
lots, driveways, and sidewalks with
such a system.
Working principle:
A solar roadway is a series of
structurally engineered solar panels
that are driven upon. The idea is to
replace current petroleum-based
asphalt roads, parking lots, and
driveways with solar road panels that
collect energy to be used by homes
and businesses, and ultimately to be
able to store excess energy in or
alongside the solar roadways. Thus
renewable energy replaces the need
for the current fossil fuels used for
the generation of electricity, whichcuts greenhouse gases and helps in
sustainable development.
Solar road construction:
Existing prototype panels consist
of three layer.
surface layer:
Electronics layer:
Base plate layer:
Advantages of Solar Roadway:
Renewability and life-span
Military and rescue assistance
Roadways already in place
Lighting up of roads
Initial Cost
Disadvantages of Solar Roadway:
Maintenance costs
Seasonal efficiency
Needs a town planning.
Conclusion:
For roughly the same cost of the
current systems (asphalt roads and
fossil fuel burning electricity
generation plants), the Solar
Roadways™ can be implemented. No
more Global Warming. No more
power outages (roaming or
otherwise). Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution. A new secure
highway infrastructure that pays for
itself. A decentralized, self-healing,
secure power grid. No more
dependency on foreign oil.
REFERENCES:
www.solarroadways.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.solaripedia.com
www.ask.com
This document summarizes a student project on solar roadways. It describes solar roadways as a system of solar panels that can be driven on and generate electricity. The document outlines the key components of solar roadways, including the glass surface layer, electronic layer with solar cells, and base plate layer. It also discusses advantages like reduced fossil fuel use and pollution, as well as challenges like high initial costs. The document reviews case studies of solar roadway prototypes and existing solar roads in France and China.
This document discusses the concept of solar roadways, which embed solar panels and LED lights below a tough glass surface to generate electricity and illuminate roads. A solar roadway consists of a glass top layer, an electronic layer containing photovoltaic cells and controls, and a base plate layer that distributes power. Solar roadways could power electric vehicles through induction charging and provide an intelligent transportation system by programming LED lights. While maintenance costs are a concern, solar roadways could meet a significant portion of India's electricity needs if implemented nationwide and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The Solar Roadway is a series of structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace all current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels that collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses. The renewable energy generated by solar road panels will replace the current need for fossil fuel which is used for generation of electricity as also oil used for driving the vehicles which in turn reduces the greenhouse gases nearly to half. The implementation of Solar Roadways Technology will create the clean energy boom, spurring private investment on a massive scale, with relatively little extra cost. An intelligent highway infrastructure and a self-healing decentralized power grid that will eliminate our need for fossil fuels. Solar Roadways will also features wildlife preservation, the elimination of impervious surfaces, law enforcement, DUI detection, counter-terrorism, etc. It provides a decentralized, secure, intelligent, self-healing power grid which pays for itself. Today more than ever we see and feel the consequences of the climate change. From
melting ice caps, to the rising sea levels, weather changes and temperature rises, there are
more and more natural disasters that we learn about from the news. People have come up with many different kinds of methods and solutions in order to fight these changes but not many of them are as effective as needed. Thus we need to step on more complex approaches and more general and interlinked solutions for solving the pressing problems.There is, however, a technology that can help us to normalize our climate, but also help in our daily lives. We offer Smart Solar Roadways as one possible solution that can drastically change our way of living for better. Smart Solar roads combine different solutions in one – it can help us to improve energy production from solar panels, to collect and distribute rain water, to provide a digital platform for Smart city, to facilitate emerging electric cars and driver-less cars and much more! We believe that this approach can offer many additional benefits to citizens, to the environment and will contribute for sustainable development as a whole. Some may call it even the next “Industrial revolution”, we like to think of it like a better tomorrow. So it’s time to upgrade our infrastructure (especially roads & power grids) with the 21st century technology i.e.
“Solar Roadways”.
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power using photovoltaic and includes solar panels and LED signage, that can be driven on.
This document discusses solar roadways as a solution to power generation and road maintenance issues. It describes the components of solar roadways, which have three layers: a road surface layer made of a translucent, traction-providing material embedded with LEDs and a heating element; an electronics layer containing solar panels, microprocessors and communication devices; and a base plate layer that distributes power and signals while protecting the electronics. The document examines road surveys in India and highlights that solar roadways could generate substantial electricity and illuminate the nation if a small fraction of roads were converted. Features like accident prevention, road illumination, traffic management and electric vehicle charging are reviewed. A case study of a US company prototyping solar parking lots is
1. The document discusses the concept of solar roadways, which involves embedding solar panels into road surfaces to generate electricity. The solar roadways would be made up of three layers - a glass surface layer, an electronics layer containing photovoltaic cells, and a base plate layer to distribute power.
2. In addition to power generation, the solar panels could be programmed to provide instructions to drivers using LEDs for safety and traffic control. The embedded heating elements in the panels could also melt snow and ice, reducing road hazards.
3. It is proposed that solar roadways could provide electricity to homes and businesses while requiring similar costs to traditional asphalt roads. This could help reduce fossil fuel usage, pollution,
Solar roadways generate electricity through photovoltaic cells embedded below a glass surface. They consist of three layers: a glass road surface, an electronics layer to collect solar energy and distribute power, and a base plate layer to protect the electronics. In addition to generating electricity, solar roadways could illuminate roads, display instructions to drivers, and wirelessly charge electric vehicles. While initial costs are high, proponents argue solar roadways could eventually have similar costs to traditional roads and power plants while providing renewable energy and safer transportation.
Solar roadways involves structurally engineered solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight and form an intelligent, decentralized power grid. Each 12' x 12' solar panel connects to surrounding panels, stores energy, and distributes power to connected homes and vehicles. In addition to providing electricity, the solar roadways' embedded LEDs can illuminate roads and warn of hazards. The system aims to achieve energy independence through powering electric vehicles and replacing deteriorating infrastructure. However, high initial costs remain a key disadvantage.
This document discusses solar roadways, which consist of solar panels embedded into roads, parking lots, and walkways to generate renewable energy. They have three layers - a surface layer made of durable, translucent materials with LEDs; an electronic layer with solar panels, microprocessors and sensors; and a bottom layer to distribute power. Solar roadways could power homes and charge electric vehicles. They provide benefits like reducing fossil fuel use, informing drivers, and keeping roads clear in winter. However, they also have high upfront costs compared to traditional asphalt roads. The document references several sources on the technical aspects and feasibility of solar roadway technology.
Today world is facing number of problems such as global warming , pollution, etc., It is due to the usage of pollution causing materials for the sake of comforts but we are in the darkness of destructive technology. So we have to recover it by this technology. this "SOLAR ROADWAYS" are completely recycle & reuse. It is completely pollution free.
The document discusses the benefits of solar power as an alternative to traditional fossil fuel energy sources. It notes that fossil fuels face challenges like rising costs and environmental concerns over climate change. As a result, governments and businesses are increasingly supporting renewable alternatives like solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power. The document proposes constructing solar roads in rural agricultural areas that currently lack reliable power, in order to generate electricity at low cost and provide surplus power to other regions. It suggests enhancing this design by incorporating water collection basins and thermal plates made of materials that absorb heat well, to also harness solar thermal energy and use steam turbines to generate electricity without air pollution or fossil fuels. The conclusion is that this could boost development, incomes and quality of
This document provides an overview of solar roadways, including:
1. Solar roadways use photovoltaic cells embedded below a transparent surface to generate electricity from solar power while also providing traction.
2. Construction involves a road surface layer, electronics layer below containing solar cells and circuitry, and a base layer to distribute power.
3. Benefits include generating renewable energy, powering electric vehicles at rest stops, illuminating roads and managing traffic/snow, but high initial costs are a disadvantage.
The document discusses solar roadways, which consist of structurally engineered solar panels that generate electricity from sunlight. Each solar road panel is 12 feet by 12 feet and interconnects with neighboring panels. The panels become a decentralized, intelligent power grid replacing deteriorating infrastructure. The panels have three layers: a translucent road surface, an electronics layer that converts sunlight to electricity, and a base plate layer that distributes power. Solar roadways could power vehicles and homes, eliminate power lines, and provide illuminated, smart roads. However, initial costs are high and efficiency is currently only 20%.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways as a future transportation system. It discusses how solar roadways could generate electricity through solar panels embedded in road surfaces. It outlines the various layers of a solar roadway, including a glass top layer, an electronics layer with solar cells and LEDs, and a base plate layer. The presentation notes the potential advantages of solar roadways in providing road illumination, power generation, and an intelligent transportation system, but also highlights challenges around maintenance costs and seasonal efficiency. It examines case studies of solar roadway prototypes and suggests implementing the technology in India's 100 planned smart cities could help address power issues.
Solar roadways may sound absurd right now but the fact that solar panels too was a concept that might have sounded absurd to some people back in those days. This is proof that even something as absurd as solar roadways can be the future to sustainable development using renewable energy.
This presentation gives a general idea to the working of solar working roadways with some case studies and some numbers,
Solar Roadways - The future transport system ( Seminar report by Swapnil Patw...Swapneil Patwari
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power photovoltaic cells. One current proposal is for 12 ft x 12 ft (3.658 m x 3.658 m) panels including solar panels and LED sign-age, that can be driven on. The concept involves replacing highways, roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks with such a system. A layer of embedded LEDs will be used to create traffic warnings or crosswalks, and excess electricity could be used to charge electric vehicles or routed into the power grid. The electrical components will be embedded between layers of extremely durable, textured glass. A solar roadway is a series of structurally engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with solar road panels that collect energy to be used by homes and businesses, and ultimately to be able to store excess energy in or alongside the solar roadways. Thus renewable energy replaces the need for the current fossil fuels used for the generation of electricity, which cuts greenhouse gases and helps in sustainable development.
Parking lots, driveways, and eventually highways are all targets for the panels. If the entire United States Interstate Highway system were surfaced with Solar Roadways panels, it would produce more than three times the amount of electricity currently used nationwide. Existing prototype panels consist of three layers. 1. Road surface layer, 2. Electronics layer, 3. Base plate layer. Road Survey of India: India had a road network of over 42,45,805 kilometers in 2011.
In which national highways and state highways cover 0.05% of total road network.
These highways can produce 450TWh of electricity according to references when they are surfaced by solar panels.
But India needs 991TWh of electricity.
This implies that if 0.1% of total road network of India is surfaced with Solar Roadway panels, it would illuminate our nation. CONCLUSION: For roughly the same cost of the current systems (asphalt roads and fossil fuel burning electricity generation plants), the Solar Roadways can be implemented.
No more Global Warming.
Safer driving conditions.
Far less pollution.
A new secure highway infrastructure that pays for itself.
A decentralized, self-healing, secure power grid.
No more dependency on foreign oil.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on solar roadways. It discusses how solar roadways are constructed with photovoltaic cells embedded below a glass surface to generate electricity from solar energy. The solar roadway panel consists of a glass top layer, an electronic layer containing photovoltaic cells and microprocessors, and a concrete base layer. Solar roadways could power India's road network and reduce accidents by detecting animals on the road surface. While expensive, solar roadways may be cost effective long term and provide benefits like reduced pollution, electricity generation, and safer travel.
San Francisco was founded in 1776 and is a popular tourist destination known for landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Coit Tower. Alcatraz Island, located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco, was the site of a lighthouse, military prison, and federal prison from 1934 to 1963. China Town is a historic ethnic enclave for Chinese and other Asian immigrants in the city.
Bc.ppt METHOD OF IMPROVING SOIL BEARING CAPPACITYSukhvinder Singh
Mechanical compaction is the cheapest and most common method to improve soil bearing capacity. It involves removing weak soil and replacing it in compacted layers. Dynamic compaction uses a heavy weight dropped from heights to compact soil deeper than mechanical methods. Preloading compresses soil through added pressures to allow consolidation and strength gain. Sand compaction piles, grouting, electrokinetic methods, thermal methods, and vibroflotation are also techniques to densify soils and increase their load bearing capacities.
The Mughal Empire ruled northern India from 1526 to 1707. Some key developments during this period included the construction of monumental architecture and cities like Agra and Delhi. Fatehpur Sikri was entirely planned by Akbar, and many gardens were developed, including Kabul Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. The Indus Valley civilization spanned from 3000 BC to 1300 BC in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India. Major cities like Mohenjo-Daro had advanced systems of town planning, with streets in a grid pattern and houses built around central courtyards. They developed new techniques in crafts and metallurgy. The Indus Valley culture collapsed due to an unknown catastrophe.
The document presents a solar tracker system that uses sensors and a microcontroller to automatically adjust the position of solar panels to track the sun's movement and maximize energy absorption. It consists of panels, sensors to detect sunlight intensity in two directions, a microcontroller that processes sensor input and controls a motor to rotate the panels towards the strongest sunlight. This design aims to efficiently generate solar power by continuously orienting the panels to the sun's position throughout the day.
The document provides information about Tower Bridge in London, including its history, construction details, and dimensions. A special committee was formed in 1876 to address river crossings and a design competition was held. Horace Jones won and construction of the bridge lasted from 1886-1894, costing around $3 million. The bridge allows vehicles and boats to pass through and can open and close in 5 minutes using two 1,000 ton hydraulic bascules.
This document discusses solar ponds and their applications. It begins with an introduction to solar ponds, explaining that they are bodies of water that collect and store solar energy through restricting convection currents. It then describes the different types of solar ponds, including non-convecting and convecting, and provides examples. Applications of solar ponds discussed include process heating, desalination, and refrigeration. Advantages are their low cost and ability to use diffuse radiation. The document concludes that solar ponds can replace fossil fuels for thermal energy applications.
Solar energy is an abundant renewable source that can be collected and stored using solar ponds. A solar pond consists of three layers - an upper fresh water layer, a middle non-convective gradient layer, and a lower dense salt water layer that stores heat. The salinity gradient in the pond prevents convection and traps solar heat in the bottom layer. Solar ponds have applications in industries like salt production, aquaculture, dairy, and desalination by providing process heat and refrigeration using the stored solar energy.
This is my information how the bridge are developed by the engineer's .Now a day many things are developing by Hus.So i proved to be an civil engineer.I'm doing my engineer.
This document discusses various methods for underwater construction. It describes wet construction using water tight retaining structures like caissons and cofferdams to create dry environments for building bridge piers, buildings, and dams. It also discusses the challenges of underwater construction when water depths increase and the objectives of maintaining structural stability. Furthermore, it outlines techniques for underwater concreting using tremie pipes, pumps, and toggle bags to place concrete below the water surface.
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This document discusses retrofitting traditional buildings to make them more sustainable and energy efficient. It explains that traditional buildings are major contributors to energy use and carbon emissions. Retrofitting building elements like walls, windows, and doors can significantly improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Walls can be better insulated, and single-pane windows can be replaced with double or triple-pane windows to reduce heat loss. Retrofitting building elements is presented as an effective way to lower the environmental impact of existing buildings compared to new construction.
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IRJET- Heat Transfer Enhancement of a Solar Flat Plate Collector by using...IRJET Journal
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Using A Polymer As A Material For Carbon DioxideTracy Berry
Here are a few essays on carbon dioxide gas:
Carbon Dioxide Gas and Climate Change
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas that is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. It is also released from other
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This document provides an overview of the solar cell and module manufacturing process. It begins with an introduction to solar energy and discusses the need to transition to renewable sources due to issues with fossil fuels like pollution, climate change, and volatile prices. It then describes the basic processes involved in manufacturing solar cells, including etching, texturization, diffusion, plasma etching, PECVD coating, screen printing, and testing. Key steps in module production like assembly, lamination, and testing are also outlined. The document discusses the raw materials used, a brief history of photovoltaics, and concludes by noting the advantages, opportunities and challenges of solar energy.
This report analyzes the feasibility of transforming a parking lot at Kansas State University into a solar parking lot using solar road panels. Theoretical calculations estimate the parking lot could generate over 2 million kWh of energy per year, worth approximately $188,520. It would require a minimum of 32,492 solar panels at an estimated total cost of $20,955,580, resulting in a payback period of over 111 years. While the solar road panels can withstand heavy loads and include snow removal features, they remain in the prototyping stage and are not yet cost-effective for large-scale projects. The report recommends KSU wait until production begins and costs decrease before implementing a solar parking lot.
This document discusses carbon footprints and climate change. It begins by asking what a carbon footprint is and providing basic definitions of climate and weather. It then discusses how human activities like burning fossil fuels are releasing greenhouse gases and warming the planet. Specifically, it notes that burning fossil fuels releases carbon that was previously stored underground. It ends by noting that non-renewable energy sources like coal and oil make up 63% of our current energy supply and provides a link to a household carbon footprint calculator.
This document provides information about solar energy and solar power. It discusses how solar energy works and how it is used in modern times. It covers various types of solar thermal power and solar electric power, including different designs that have been used for solar thermal plants. Tables are presented showing the world's largest solar power plants. The document also discusses the physics of solar cells and photoelectric effect, and describes different materials and types of solar cells like crystalline silicon cells, thin film cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells.
Importance of Solar Energy in Day to Day Lifeijtsrd
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This document is a student assignment on enhancing green technology through air conditioning. It discusses several air conditioning technologies that are more environmentally friendly than traditional AC, including solar air conditioning, absorption chiller air conditioning, ice storage air conditioning, and inverter air conditioning. The student concludes by recommending ice storage air conditioning as it is reusable, energy efficient, cost effective and does not rely on power generation. The document contains 2042 words, including an introduction, sections on different green AC technologies, a conclusion, and bibliography.
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This document outlines the need for an "Apollo Energy Program" to address climate change by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and transitioning the world to sustainable energy systems. It argues that we are on a dangerous trajectory towards 450 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere by 2032 if no action is taken. The program would take a coordinated, systems-level approach across technology, policy, markets, and individual behavior to bend the curve and keep CO2 levels below 450 ppm to avoid catastrophic climate change impacts. Success will require global leadership and innovation across many interconnected areas simultaneously.
Social impact of technology power pointbrodyjohnston
The document discusses the environmental impacts of the automobile and global warming. It notes that while cars revolutionized transportation, the 600 million vehicles worldwide also release greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. The combustion of fossil fuels in cars emits carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. This is warming the planet and causing problems like rising sea levels, stronger storms, and melting Arctic ice. The document advocates reducing automobile usage and emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Solar Energy.
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Building a Raspberry Pi Robot with Dot NET 8, Blazor and SignalRPeter Gallagher
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I also show how you can use a Unity app on an Meta Quest 3 to control the arm VR too.
You can find the GitHub repo and workshop instructions here;
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1. SOLAR ROADWAYS
Sofia University, FEBA
Kristiyan Yotov, 700855
Yana Panayotova, 700 859
Presiyan Georgiev, 700 852
Lecturer: A. Antonova
Subject: Information Systems and Technologies
SOFIA 2015
SOFIA UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Economics and Business
2. Contents
Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Anti-global warming measures ............................................................................................................................... 5
Solar Roadways ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Are the solar panels practical?................................................................................................................................ 7
Smart GRID............................................................................................................................................................ 11
The money question and Business models........................................................................................................... 12
Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................. 15
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................................... 16
3. Summary
Today more than ever we see and feel the consequences of the climate change. From
melting ice caps, to the rising sea levels, weather changes and temperature rises, there are
more and more natural disasters that we learn about from the news. People have come up
with many different kinds of methods and solutions in order to fight these changes but not
many of them are as effective as needed. Thus we need to step on more complex
approaches and more general and interlinked solutions for solving the pressing problems.
There is, however, a technology that can help us to normalize our climate, but also help in
our daily lives. We offer Smart Solar Roadways as one possible solution that can drastically
change our way of living for better. Smart Solar roads combine different solutions in one – it
can help us to improve energy production from solar panels, to collect and distribute rain
water, to provide a digital platform for Smart city, to facilitate emerging electric cars and
driver-less cars and much more! We believe that this approach can offer many additional
benefits to citizens, to the environment and will contribute for sustainable development as a
whole.
Some may call it even the next “Industrial revolution”, we like to think of it like a better
tomorrow.
4. 160
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Carbondioxidelevel(partspermillion)
Axis Title
CO2 Levels
Carbon dioxide`s change Carbon dioxide`s maximum
Introduction
The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. Just in the last 650,000 years there have
been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, with the abrupt end of the last ice age
about 7,000 years ago marking the beginning of the modern climate era — and of human
civilization.
Nowadays climate change is changing our economy, health and communities in diverse
ways. Scientists warn that if we do not aggressively curb climate change now, the results will
likely be disastrous. Carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants are collecting in the
atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to
warm up.
Although local temperatures fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global
temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Scientists say that unless
we curb the emissions that cause climate change, average U.S. temperatures could be 3 to 9
degrees higher by the end of the century.
FIGURE 1 DYNAMICS OF CARBON DIOXIDE
5. Global warming is already causing damage in many parts of the world, including Europe and
United States. Some statistics show that in 2002, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon endured
their worst wildfire seasons ever. The same year, drought created severe dust storms in
Montana, Colorado and Kansas, and floods caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage
in Texas, Montana and North Dakota (nrdc.org).
Since the early 1950s, snow accumulation has declined 60 percent and winter seasons have
shortened in some areas of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington.
Nowadays the facts about global warming come in increasing speed. Based on the NAOA
statistics1
, the combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces for
September 2015 was the highest for September in the 136-year period of record, at 0.90°C
(1.62°F) above the 20th century average of 15.0°C (59.0°F), surpassing the previous record
set last year in 2014 by 0.12°C (0.19°F). Moreover, it is proven that this is the fifth
consecutive month a monthly high temperature record has been set and is the highest
departure from average for any month among all 1629 months in the record that began in
January 1880. The September temperature is currently increasing at an average rate of
0.06°C (0.11°F) per decade.
1
National Center for Environmental Information - https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/201509
6. Anti-global warming measures
One of the key issues for global warning are the increased levels of CO2. Carbon dioxide
removal projects seek to remove greenhouse effects from the atmosphere. Methods include
those that directly remove such gases from the atmosphere, as well as indirect methods that
seek to promote natural processes that draw down and sequester CO2. But they are fighting
the symptoms, not the source of the problem. Not that they are not effective but for a major
and long-term change, we should invest in an idea with a different approach.
Many experts face two main industries largely influencing the production of CO2 – car
transport and energy production. Thus the biggest impact will have the technologies
reducing pollution from vehicles and power plants. Right away, we should put existing
technologies for building cleaner cars and more modern electricity generators into
widespread use. We can increase our reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind,
sun and geothermal. And we can manufacture more efficient appliances and conserve
energy.2
Fortunately, there are technologies today that may help solving the global warming
problem. But going further there can be more technological solutions that can help us to
develop further.
2
http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/f101.asp
7. Solar Roadways
Our idea is to increase awareness and to step on further work and further development of
the concept of Solar Road technologies, developed by Solar Roadways Inc3
. Solar Roadways
Incorporated is a startup company based in Sandpoint, Idaho, that is developing solar
powered road panels. Their technology combines a transparent driving surface with
underlying solar cells, electronics and sensors to act as a solar array with programmable
capability.
The company was founded by Scott and Julie Brusaw in 2006. The company envisioned
replacing asphalt surfaces with structurally-engineered solar panels capable of withstanding
vehicular traffic. The proposed system would require the development of strong,
transparent, and self-cleaning glass that has the necessary traction and impact-resistance
properties.
The idea is not only to collect solar energy and rain water but to also make smart roads.
Roads that illuminate themselves at night, heat themselves in the winter and are easily
programmable to direct drivers. But much more, the potentials of the technology allow us to
further contribute to some more green concepts as smart city, the connected things and IoT,
smart gird applications, hybrid and electric cars and other. Therefore, from the initial idea to
3
http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml
Solar road
panel
Smart
roads
Safer
travel
Smart city
Clean
Energy
Less
polution
Less fuel
losses
8. put the normal solar panel to a better and much more practical use, there can be derived
many new benefits.
The panels are power independent, meaning that they recharge themselves. But the excess
energy can be exported directly to the electrical power grid.
Are the solar panels practical?
The short answer is yes!
People may ask themselves “Isn’t glass softer than asphalt?” and the answer is “no”. This
table shows object ranked according Mohs’ Scale of Hardness.
Solar road panel Panels melting snow
9. 0,7 Graphite
1,3 Asphalt
3,0 Copper Penny
5,5-6 Knife Blade
5,5-6 Plate Glass
By comparison, it is asphalt that is soft. But Solar Road Panels are made of tempered glass
and tempered glass is 4-5 times stronger than non-tempered glass.Further testing has
revealed that the surface of the panel road is less slippery than a normal road.
And they are easy to maintain. During winter, they melt the snow off them, making it safe
for driving but also possible to collect sunlight.
Water collection and treatment:
The rain or snow water can flow off of the road and through the grates to a filtration area.
The water is gravity fed through filtration socks (or other treatment options that customers
may wish to add) and into a storage tank below the frost line. The water can be discharged
into an existing drainage system or it can be pumped from the storage tank in either
direction along the road. Destinations may include a bigger filtration facility, an aquifer, or
an agricultural center.
But nothing lasts forever, so in a case of malfunction or any sort of damage on one or more
panels, the other panels can report the problem. Each of the panels contain their own
microprocessor, which communicates wirelessly with surrounding panels.
A single operator could load a good panel into his/her truck and respond to the scene. The
panel could be swapped out and reprogrammed in a few minutes. The damaged panel would
then be returned to a repair center.
Repair will be much quicker and easier than our current maintenance system for asphalt
roads. We've learned that in the U.S., over $160 billion is lost each year in lost productivity
from people sitting in traffic due to road maintenance.
Some other implications:
In future, solar panels can also be used to charge electric cars. They can be recharged at any
conveniently located rest stop, or at any business places that incorporates Solar Roadways
Panels in their parking lots for. Owners can plug-in their cars in and recharge while they're
eating or shopping. Engineers are even investigating ways to use mutual induction to charge
EVs while they are driving down the Solar Roadway.
10. By the way, using electric cars would eliminate most of the other half of the cause of global
warming and could virtually wean the world off oil entirely.
EXAMPLE OF A SMART ROAD
11. SMART ROADS CAN GIVE INSTRUCTIONS
THEY CAN ALSO WARN DRIVERS OF OBSTACLES ON THE ROAD
12. Electric cars
The panels are power independent, meaning that they recharge themselves. But the excess
energy can be exported directly to the electrical power grid. They can also be used to charge
electric cars. They can be recharged at any conveniently located rest stop, or at any business
places that incorporates Solar Roadways Panels in their parking lots for. Owners can plug-in
their cars in and recharge while they're eating or shopping. Engineers are even investigating
ways to use mutual induction to charge EVs while they are driving down the Solar Roadway.
By the way, using electric cars would eliminate most of the other half of the cause of global
warming and could virtually wean the world off oil entirely.
CAR CHARGING WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD
Smart GRID
With the Solar Roadway, the road can become the power grid, eliminating the need for
unsightly utility poles and relay stations. Power is generated everywhere - every road,
parking lot and driveway. No more power outages, roaming or otherwise. The Solar
Roadways generates "secure" energy; it can't be deliberately shut down. Not by terrorists,
not by power companies, it simply can't be shut down. A smart grid would be more
automated and more "self-healing," and so less prone to failures. It would be more tolerant
of small-scale, variable power sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, in part
because it would even out fluctuations by storing energy.
13. The money question and business models
According to company managers, it's too early to calculate cost information. Nowadays the
project is under development and in testing phase.
The only project currently installed is a prototype parking lot, which consists of 108
prototype Solar Road Panels in Sagle, Idaho. The town of Sandpoint, Idaho has the first
public projects already lined up for solar panel use. The current tests are for developing five
pilot projects on non-critical applications such as downtown sidewalks, a train station and
part of an airport tarmac. All the year-round data about performance will be streamed to the
public for monitoring. The second application could be on tribal lands, which have their own
rules governing roads.
However, there can be enumerated a number of benefits for developing smart business
models. As the panels can generate not only their own electricity but their own money as
well, their implementation will depend largely on government regulations and public
support.
The road incomes can be generated through:
. Through the generation of electricity
. By transporting cleaned storm water to municipalities or agricultural centers
. By leasing the roadside conduit (Cable Corridor) to entities such as utility companies,
telephone, high-speed internet, cable TV, etc.
. By selling advertising in parking lots with the configurable LEDs
. By charging people or companies to recharge their electric vehicles
There can be developed further business models for Smart road implementation,
maintenance and use. Thus, we strongly believe that more projects for Solar roads can
provide further opportunities for finding the right manner to support this tremendous
“paradigm change”.
14. Controversies
Although financed on several rounds by US government agency’s grants and then collecting
about 2.2 mio USD through Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, the company is subject of
many skeptical discussions. One article from 20144
just make a review of some of the most
popular ones:
Road safety
Driving or walking on a textured glass surface is completely different than asphalt, which is
designed specifically to increase traction. Solar Roadways says that it has tested its wet
textured glass surface at a university lab and has shown that it can stop a vehicle going 80
miles per hour within the required distance. However, more testing is needed;
Road durability
4
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Department-of-Transportation-Official-Discusses-Solar-
Roadways
15. Durability is also not fully proven and tested on practice, but only through a 3-D modeling
analysis. Therefore, additional implementation and testing can prove the durability of the
solar panels.
Available materials and equipment
During the prototype phase, company had some problems with materials and specific
equipment delivery, that were difficult to procure. But these issues with the prototype could
be overcome with larger-scale automated production. Now the solar panels are broken down
into four sections for easier manufacturing and then assembled onsite. With solar technologies
advancements, the performance of the solar cells themselves can be further improved.
Undeveloped business case
The Solar Roadways declared that it would simply be a manufacturer and let service providers
or governments figure out how to finance and build projects. Thus developing business
models through complicated network of private, state and federal rules (US) for transportation
planning, and involving revenue streams in the model can bring the project on practice.
16. Conclusion
The solar panel road panels and the smart roads that come with them can make a major
environmental as well as social difference.
They can offer new major source of clean energy which on its own will greatly impact the
climate in a positive way.
But smart roads can also optimize our traffic so that work productivity is not lost, fuel is
preserved and many accidents are avoided.
These panels may be a big investment at first but they will, without a doubt, pay off in the
long term, not only financially but environmentally as well.
As a conclusion, we would quote Scott Brusaw words:
Everyone has power. No more power shortages, no more roaming power outages, no more need to burn coal
(50% of greenhouse gases). Less need for fossil fuels and less dependency upon foreign oil. Much less pollution.
How about this for a long term advantage: an electric road allows all-electric vehicles to recharge anywhere:
rest stops, parking lots, etc. They would then have the same range as a gasoline-powered vehicle. Internal
combustion engines would become obsolete. Our dependency on oil would come to an abrupt end.
It's time to upgrade our infrastructure - roads and power grid - to the 21st century.
17. Bibliography
Khor, M. (2010). NASA Inovations in Climate Education. Retrieved from http://esteem.larc.nasa.gov/
Parshley, A. S. (2015, 11 14). Solar roadways. Retrieved from Popular science:
http://bestofwhatsnew.popsci.com/solar-roadways
unknown. (2015, 11 14). Solar roadways. Retrieved from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Roadways
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/publications/alternative_uses_of_highway_right-of-way/rep03.cfm
http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/tadjik/vitalgraphics/eng/graphics/c6.jp