-- The US Interstate Highway system has been providing jobs for thousands since its beginning in post-World War II America and is destined to continue doing so with the possible implementation of solar panel roadways. Developed by Solar Roadways, Inc of Sand Point, Idaho, solar panels have been installed on historical Route 66 in Missouri and testing is slated to begin in the early part of 2017.
Tom Blair, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) engineer leading the “Road to Tomorrow Initiative,” told Inhabitat.com in July, “It gets Missouri and MoDOT prepared for 21st century innovations. We expect them to be in place, I’m hoping, by the end of this year, maybe before snow flies. If [Solar Roadway’s] version of the future is realistic, if we can make that happen, then roadways can begin paying for themselves.”
The solar powered roadway panels are microprocessor based, energy producing and capable of communication from panel to panel, to a control center and even to vehicles on the roadway. As a source of energy, the panels can provide power to not only the roadways themselves but to the surrounding area. In addition, the power generated by the panels could provide lighting on the darkest of highways, signage and traffic delay, accident communication with law enforcement agencies.
“The idea is certainly revolutionary,” commented Mark Taylor, co-owner of Minneapolis based ACS Asphalt Concrete Solutions, Inc. “At this point, there are questions about just how cost effective they are. Once the testing in Missouri is complete, we'll know a great deal more about the plausibility of solar panels for roadways.”
Thus far, the development of such solar panels has been funded by private sources and the US Department of Transportation, recently awarding Solar Roadways, Inc. a Phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research Grant of $750,000.00 to continue research and begin testing. Advancements in the potential benefits of solar roadways led to the grant and include the possibility of heated panels designed to eliminate ice and snow build up in colder regions of the US, thus providing safer travel.
“There are some benefits to solar panel roadways that we can't deny,” Taylor continued. “And any technology that can make our roads and highways safer is going to benefit everyone. It's just too early to tell if solar panels are the answer.”
Producing a sustainable energy source is the idea that sparked Scott and Julie Brusaw, founders of Solar Roadways, Inc. to develop the panels. The area of the US taken by highways, roads, parking lots, sidewalks and paved paths is equal to nearly 33,000 square miles and with the installation of energy producing solar panels could be an endless source of sustainable energy. Solar Roadways engineers estimate creation of 29,966 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year if solar panels completely replaced the existing impervious paved surfaces. The average annual consumption of electricity by US consumers is 10,812 kilowatt-hours per household.
To learn more about solar panel roadways, visit www.solarroadways.com
For information on ACS Asphalt Concrete Solutions, Inc. and to arrange for a free evaluation of your commercial paved surfaces, call 1.800.BLACKTOP or visit www.acsasphalt.com
**JD Arbuckle is a freelance journalist specializing in consumer education on a variety of topics including asphalt, concrete and the latest developments in highway and roadway technologies.
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Name: JD Arbuckle
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Organization: ACS Asphalt Concrete Solutions
Website: http://www.acsasphalt.com
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