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