Solar highways make it to America

[silverback1065]

http://m.mentalfloss.com/article.php?id=82190

This article doesn't provide very much detail but this would be a great innovation if it passes all the right tests.

[mvak36]

Here's an article from 3 weeks ago from the KC Star: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article82584377.html

It talks about some of the other technologies they're going to try on the roads.

It'll be interesting to see how the solar roadway test goes.

[silverback1065]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

[mvak36]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

And you wouldn't have to shovel your driveway (assuming they can melt snow as they claim)

[silverback1065]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

And you wouldn't have to shovel your driveway (assuming they can melt snow as they claim)

that would be amazing, especially for people who are unable to do it due to advance age or disability.

[GaryV]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

Sure - but no one has quoted installation prices yet.

The article said they had a $750K grant to do the parking lot at their business. 



Aside:  When has a moose ever been on Route 66?  Like that old Garmin ad where a moose is crossing I-10.

[Brandon]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

And you wouldn't have to shovel your driveway (assuming they can melt snow as they claim)

I have my doubts on that claim.  I just don't see it melting 6+ inches from an overnight snow, much less the accumulative snow one may get every day.

[silverback1065]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

And you wouldn't have to shovel your driveway (assuming they can melt snow as they claim)

I have my doubts on that claim.  I just don't see it melting 6+ inches from an overnight snow, much less the accumulative snow one may get every day.

That's one thing they'll test, so we'll see if your right or wrong in the future.

[kalvado]

it would be cool to have a house with solar driveways and sidewalks, you could use the power for your house and not have to use the electric company for all your electric needs.

And you wouldn't have to shovel your driveway (assuming they can melt snow as they claim)

I have my doubts on that claim.  I just don't see it melting 6+ inches from an overnight snow, much less the accumulative snow one may get every day.

That's one thing they'll test, so we'll see if your right or wrong in the future.

There is no need to test something that can be calculated at high school science class level.

USAF had some heated runways up north for strategic bombers all-weather ops - but that was VERY expensive even for them..

[silverback1065]

this is the video about the topic, it's way to optimistic, and some of the claims of problems it solves are already solved and being done now.  In fact i think the video sucks because it gives the viewer too unrealistic of an idea that this is really the end all be all. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU&list=WL&index=18

[Bruce]

Solar roads would only work at peak efficiency in rural areas without many trees, or suburbs with wide setbacks, in sunny climates.

If these ever come to Western Washington, they'd flop.

[dfwmapper]

Solar roads would only work at peak efficiency in rural areas without many trees, or suburbs with wide setbacks, in sunny climates.

If these ever come to Western Washington, they'd flop.

Not exactly needed given that all the rain you get has already provided you with abundant renewable energy in the form of hydro.

[Bruce]

Solar roads would only work at peak efficiency in rural areas without many trees, or suburbs with wide setbacks, in sunny climates.

If these ever come to Western Washington, they'd flop.

Not exactly needed given that all the rain you get has already provided you with abundant renewable energy in the form of hydro.

We actually get less total rainfall than other cities. It's just frequent.

[dfwmapper]

Sorry, should have been more clear, the "you" there being the PNW in general. Rainfall down near sea level doesn't do much anyway.