As technology has advanced, the cost to
install and use solar energy has gone down. Solar energy technology has been
around since the early 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it began to
see mass use.
Will the rise of solar and other renewables torpedo the oil and gas industry?
The world has come a long way since Faraday produced an electric current from a magnetic field and invented what we now know as electricity. This ‘electricity’ has gone on to permeate every sphere of human life and ushered in an era of increasingly sophisticated devices and appliances. Every major industry requires electricity to function and according to The Economist, current global consumption is around 15 terawatts of power.
How to find Solar Panel Installation in Australia
Climate
change is a hot topic in the world over. It has affected our businesses,
economy, health, infrastructure, and trade, among others. One of the common
causes are fossil fuels, coal and petroleum. To counter them, there is
a need to push for solar energy.
Solar Power for Home Use - How Efficient is It?
Solar power is no longer a niche choice limited to govt and industrial users.
What types of solar road lights you should have for highways?
No doubt a
solar road light is a great idea and it is happening. It can ardently change
how we complete the roadways and how to respond to climate change, and other
advantages. Solar road lights reduce
night accidents give security and police protection, improve the flow of
traffic, and boost business.
Demand for
solar is increasing everywhere, in landfills and parka pockets, and why shouldn’t
we incorporate solar on roads? Solar
road lights are increasingly getting popular all over the world, and some
roads are even promising to charge electric cars while on the move.
The concept
of the solar road was started in the Netherlands when it was set up for a bike
path in 2014. Next was France to add another feather to its cap in January and for the next five years, it decided to install 1,000 kilometers of solar roads. In
December of the same year, it started the solar road meant for cars in a
Normandy village. The 0.6-mile route is covered with 2,888 meters of solar
panels. German was next in a row.
China also
opened a kilometer-long stretch of solar road in Jinan in 2017. The road
contains an insulating layer towards the bottom, photovoltaic panels towards the
middle, and transparent concrete on the top. The electricity that is generated
by the panels could empower everything, and that includes street lights to
signboards.
Solar
roadways are a smart way towards our go green initiative while offering safe
driving conditions. On the street roads instead of using the usual dark grey
asphalt, we can see blue-green hexagonal tiles, which have lane markings and
traffic signs that are illuminated by LED bulbs. Julie and Scott Brusa
conceptualize the concept of solar roads and proposed to create glass-topped
solar panels that are rugged which means can bear big trucks, and heavy traffic and
can also create electricity. And not only this, these roads are anticipated to
charge electric cars. LEDs are incorporated in the panels not only for marking
roads but also for showcasing advertisements.
The roads
can also be used for funneling melted snow from the solar panels inside the
storage tank before sending to the water treatment center. Solar panels will be
exposed to the sun so that they are heated enough to melt the snow. Advanced technologies like silicon solar cells and LED lighting are also used
to design the road and to withstand the weather and road conditions.
In China,
the leaders in a solar road development project are Pavenergy and Qilu
Transporation. Pavenergy is creating panels for Qilu which is a state-owned
highway construction company. The panels are created of a complex polymer that
is similar to plastic but has more friction than a conventional road surface
system but which could be adjusted. It’s also been found that the blue silicon of solar
cells, which is an electricity-generating component, can face many tons of
weight.
How are the
Solar Roadways Designed?
The solar
roads contain a series of interconnected panels with each panel consisting of
three important layers. The topmost layer should be of great strength and rough
enough to offer great traction for vehicles, yet can allow sunlight to
penetrate to the solar cells which are situated underneath. The solar roads
also have strong glass with a slightly textured top which can cause traction
which is better than asphalt and can easily bear the weight of the truck.
The middle
layer constitutes the solar panels and a microprocessor board that controls the
LEDs, which could illuminate the roads and gives traffic information.
Microprocessors allow great features for instance; each panel can analyze the
condition of the road and can convey the same to the driver. The panels can
also convey information by quickly notifying in case there is damage to any one
of the panels. The microprocessors also manage the road temperature which helps
in the melting of the snow in winter.
These solar
roadways are no doubt the most innovative concept and if incorporated could become
one of the best go-green initiatives.
Summary: Solar Roadways are a new big thing and a revolution in the road
industry. Governments of many countries of the world are trying to make it a
reality. No doubt the initial cost would be
huge but the initial outcome would be positive. It would not only be the road
of the future but the best energy-conservative mechanism.
Click on this Map of Solar Farms in Texas to Search for Locations
Which Solar Street Light Systems Should We Buy for the Highways?
Traveling on the highways at night is risky as the roads are not only prone to accidents but also to anti-social elements, but the street lights make the safe passageway.
Benefits of Solar LED Street Lighting
Solar led street lights is the mantra of today, so let us talk about how the solar-empowered street lighting system shapes the future of the lighting industry.
A Look at How Solar Can Change The Transportation Industry
Solar power is something that can be found
in many areas of life today. From homes and businesses to cars and even
heavy-duty trucks used in the transport industry, you can find solar power in
every direction. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends those that who want
to own environmentally-friendly vehicles check to see if the vehicles they are
considering are SmartWay vehicles.
Tips for Cleaning Solar Panels
The overall efficiency of your
solar power system is going to be determined by the amount of direct sunlight
that your solar panels can access. If your panels are covered in bird
droppings, pollen, shadowed by large trees, or have dirt accumulated on them, the
system is potentially not going to operate with maximum power. When solar panels are dirty, they can lose up to 25% of their
energy. Under normal circumstances, with rain or snowfall, panels will be cleaned
naturally. In some areas, however, especially areas with little rain or snow,
it’s important to find a way to safely keep them clean.
Installing Solar Panels in California
Earlier this year, regulators in California approved a
plan to require solar panels on new home construction throughout the state and
set 2020 for everything to go into effect. The plan will require solar panels
to be installed on almost all new single-family homes which will add nearly
$10,000 onto the cost of a new home. The plan is a welcome addition for
statewide homebuilders as well as solar power companies and utility companies.