We’re already more than halfway through October, and winter is just around the corner. And for those of us residing in the northern latitudes of the U.S., the winter months usually bring lots of the white stuff, making for treacherous, slippery conditions out on the road. To help combat the traction killing weather change, most highway departments resort to spreading salt-like chemicals on the blacktop. While useful in combating ice and snow, the compounds can leak into waterways, doing harm to the local environment, including pets. Solar Roadways says it’s got a better solution – modular solar panels you can drive on.
Essentially hexagonal plates of tempered glass with electronic guts, the Solar Roadway panels are equipped with energy-gathering solar cells that produce electricity when exposed to light. The panels are textured, offering the same traction as asphalt, and can be installed on top of existing blacktop. The applications are many, and include highways, driveways, parking lots, and bike paths.
The panels are strong enough to support semi-trucks, and are installed with microprocessors that allow them to create a “smart” road network to relay road info to a central control hub, or potentially other cars. The panels also have LEDs, which illuminate lane lines and traffic signage without the use of paint. And of course, there are heating elements to melt away snow and ice without the use of chemicals.
According to the Spokane-based CBS affiliate KREM 2, the Solar Roadways panels will soon see their first public test in the U.S., and will be used to power a restroom and fountain.
Continue reading for the full story.
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