A solar road could recharge electric cars

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In Spain there were, as of Decembe kilometers of road, according to Fomento. Long lines of asphalt extending across the territory, with the consequent visual impact. And in many regions, more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Faced with the obvious need to continue laying out new concrete routes, there are those who see the opportunity to take advantage of them to contribute to the sustainability of the environment. And little by little, the path to building roads that produce energy is being cleared.

The American Scott Brusaw claims to keep a drawing he made when he was a child, in the early 1960s, in which he had already sketched a solar highway with his paints, at a time when most people had not even heard of it. of photovoltaic energy. For about five years, he and his wife, Julie Brusaw, have set out to make that childhood idea become a reality. And because of the public aid they are receiving – the first came in 2009 – it seems that they are taken seriously.

The Brusaws' plan is to replace the road surface with panels that can take advantage of sunlight. In addition to generating energy, another positive effect is that it would no longer be necessary to use oil to pave Europe Cell Phone Number List roads. The main problem they have had to face has been guaranteeing traffic safety. After all, photovoltaic panels are made of glass and the sight of a road made of this material, especially if it rains, seemed dangerous.

But those responsible for the Solar Roadways project claim to have achieved a texture on the top layer that provides traction at least as safe as regular roads, even in the rain. That first cover contains the photovoltaic cells, lights with LED technology and heating. Because the energy generated can be used, according to the couple, to give safety warnings on the road itself using lights or to heat it on cold days and avoid ice or snow.



A second layer contains microprocessors to control and activate the lights and systems. And also, the Brusaws explain, to control possible attempts to steal the panels. Finally, the third sheet distributes the energy produced. This can be used for neighboring houses, or – in another option to strengthen the sustainable circle – charge electric vehicles.

The couple defends that one kilometer of this road with two lanes in each direction (about 1,100 panels would be needed) can produce about 8.32 megawatt hours daily. Or, in other words, enough energy to cover the needs of about 250 homes. The calculations, which they insist on presenting as conservative, contemplate that the panels would receive an average of four hours of sunlight a day and would operate at 15% efficiency - the capacity of photovoltaic cells to transform light into energy. Although they hope to reach a level of 18.5%.

One way or another, the idea sticks. This past spring, his pilot project to build a parking lot of about 3 × 10 meters with solar panels in his city — Sandpoint (Idaho, USA) — received more than 500,000 euros in subsidies from that State. And, in addition to the development of technology, the debate revolves around the necessary investment. Obviously, manufacturing solar panels to cover all the roads is more expensive than paving them.