Some of the most innovative ideas sound preposterous when they are first proposed, but end up being revolutionary. Perhaps the solar roadway will follow suit. Or perhaps this is just another hair brained idea that will be a waste of resources. Solar Roadways is a company based in Sagle, Idaho that has designed a system of solar panels integrated into streets and roads that aims to capture solar energy and replace petroleum based asphalt, the current material used for a majority of roads.

According to the website, the panels contain three layers:

Road Surface Layer – translucent and high-strength, it is rough enough to provide great traction, yet still passes sunlight through to the solar collector cells. It is capable of handling today’s heaviest loads under the worst of conditions. Weatherproof, it protects the electronics layer beneath it.

Electronics Layer – Contains a large array of cells, the bulk of which will contain solar collecting cells with LEDs for “painting” the road surface. These cells also contain the “Super” or “Ultra” caps that store the sun’s energy for later use. Since each Solar Road Panel^TM manages its own electricity generation, storage, and distribution, they can heat themselves in northern climates to eliminate snow and ice accumulation. No more snow/ice removal and no more school/business closings due to inclement weather. The on-board microprocessor controls lighting, communications, monitoring, etc. With a communications device every 12 feet, the Solar Roadway^TM is an intelligent highway system.

Base Plate Layer – While the electronics layer collects and stores the energy from the sun, it is the base plate layer that distributes power (collected from the electronics layer) and data signals (phone, TV, internet, etc.) “downline” to all homes and businesses connected to the Solar Roadway^TM. The power and data signals are passed through each of the four sides of the base plate layer. Weatherproof, it protects the electronics layer above it.

While it remains to be seen whether this product, which relies on huge inputs of materials, will ever get off the ground, the type of thinking espoused by creator Scott Brusaw, may be exactly what is needed to spur the future of design and innovation in this country. Brusaw is “an electrical engineer (MSEE) with over 20 years of industry experience.” That Brusaw has the the technical know how is apparent, but a large scale project of this nature requires funding and proponents on a federal level that will ensure its completion.

In the meantime, working to build smarter cities that will consume less energy, more open space, and work to integrate reliable transportation is a necessity. To rely on technologies on a scale that are untested cannot be the sole answer to our energy consumption patterns. In fact, according to Amory Lovins and Paul Hawken (as discussed in The Ecology of Commerce), an 80% reduction in energy consumption through efficiency measures represents a tangible approach to energy independence and financial security.

- Eric Wilson

[image source: SolarRoadways.com]