“There’s 25,000 square miles of road surfaces, parking lots, and driveways in the lower 48 states. If we covered that with solar panels with just a 15% efficiency, we’d produce 3 times more energy than this country produces on an annual basis.”
- Solar Roadways founder Scott Brusaw

We first mentioned Solar Roadways back in October of 2009. This bold new start-up has the audacious goal of replacing all our asphalt roads and parking lots with solar panels that pay for themselves while producing electricity for electric cars. That seemingly far-out dream just got one step closer to reality thanks to General Electric. With the Ecomagination Challenge Award, GE will give Solar Roadways $50,000 toward the realization of their dream. At an estimated  $4.4 million per mile of road, that 50K will pay for just 5, 12′ by 12′ panels, leaving an enormous gap between the company’s dream and the reality. This is especially true considering the panels need to be designed to have a robust glass structure, tested for durability and traction, and somehow manufactured on a large scale. The obstacles are enough to make you roll your eyes. Yet, how many of us thought ten years ago that we’d be carrying around a video camera, a regular camera, a GPS system, and the internet on a device that fits in our pocket? Might solar roads one day connect Atlanta to Los Angeles? Take a look at the video below for a description and peak at the prototype. There are a slew of questions yet to be answered. Who would own the solar roads? Department of Transportation? The utilities if they’re providing power? This is clearly very early stage thinking, planning, and dreaming. However, they are at least out of the gate. Here are a few other quotes from the video:

“In December of 2007 a ton of liquid asphalt was $175. We’re getting quotes at over a $1000 a ton now.”

“The whole road is an electric grid that delivers power right to your front door.”

“The technology’s been done to death. I’m just taking a lot of technologies and making something new.”

“What hasn’t been done it driving on glass.”

[Image Credit]