Solar Freaking Roadways

[Wert]

 

why aren't we funding this?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Sobend]

"Finally, it's possible!"

 

It's also really, really expensive.

[Aabid]

This stuff is really expensive LOL

[Guitarguy]

Yes, it all comes down to how much it will cost, which I'm inclined to believe is problematic considering they conveniently left it out. But bear in mind that one mile of regular road already costs several million dollars, so don't think that these prices could be astronomically higher than they already are.

 

Anyway, let's leave this to the experts rather than debate with our limited knowledge like Youtube commenters. Even if it isn't cost-efficient now, the solar energy industry is increasing interminably. When the time comes that it's been established cost-efficient, don't get all hostile just because it's new.

Edited May 27, 2014 by Guitarguy

[20000_Posts]

That video does a great job showing the reaction of a person with a loose grasp on reality and loves to read pop-sci headlines.

[O hai im KAMIL]

There's still a long, long way to go but it's great that people are starting this early. It's clearly infeasible at this point in time but the concept has generated a lot of interest that could potentially lead to this being implemented globally quicker

Edited May 27, 2014 by O hai im KAMIL

[Shooter585]

There are a lot of problems with this, even in the future. Roads are pretty dirty, they'd have to be cleaned a lot to keep the panels working at high efficiency. Roads aren't cheap to build now, but I have a hard time believing solar panels are going to be comparable in cost to asphalt. That means upkeep is pretty expensive too. There are better places to put solar panels, why should we put them on the road?

[Army of One]

We even got this on our news, and it looks like a very interesting concept. The problem with roads getting dirty looks like the biggest problem besides cost, but otherwise its a good idea. I don't know how they could offset those, but they'll probably find a way. Its like the future is starting to approach us slowly and I think this would be a very good way to step into it.

[Toto]

Some areas can't even afford to have all the roads in town paved with asphalt and you think people can afford the maintenance required for something of this scale? You must be out of your mind.

[reepicheep]

Yes, it all comes down to how much it will cost, which I'm inclined to believe is problematic considering they conveniently left it out. But bear in mind that one mile of regular road already costs several million dollars, so don't think that these prices could be astronomically higher than they already are.

 

Anyway, let's leave this to the experts rather than debate with our limited knowledge like Youtube commenters. Even if it isn't cost-efficient now, the solar energy industry is increasing interminably. When the time comes that it's been established cost-efficient, don't get all hostile just because it's new.

Wait, several million for one mile of road? Where does all that money go?

[Guitarguy]

Yes, it all comes down to how much it will cost, which I'm inclined to believe is problematic considering they conveniently left it out. But bear in mind that one mile of regular road already costs several million dollars, so don't think that these prices could be astronomically higher than they already are.

 

Anyway, let's leave this to the experts rather than debate with our limited knowledge like Youtube commenters. Even if it isn't cost-efficient now, the solar energy industry is increasing interminably. When the time comes that it's been established cost-efficient, don't get all hostile just because it's new.

Wait, several million for one mile of road? Where does all that money go?

I dunno. I imagine the asphalt is pretty thick, and it takes a lot of construction workers or something.

 

Source: http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/whatwedo/policy/07-29-2008%20Generic%20Response%20to%20Cost%20per%20Lane%20Mile%20for%20widening%20and%20new%20construction.pdf

 

Ah, and according to that site, a mile of a separated 4-lane highwhay can cost a maximum of $74.4 million. But I'm pretty sure most of the roads here in the US were built when workers had less rights and shizzle, so that's good. -.-