Solar Roadways: Solar powered road panels for a smart highway
Generating clean energy and reducing carbon emissions with solar-paved roads.
The Problem
Asphalt roads are wasteful, and not very environmentally friendly, and the cars that drive on them release large amounts of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. If we’re serious about fighting climate change, we need to transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric cars; but one of the biggest challenges in making such a transition is how to recharge electric vehicles while they are on the road.
The Solution
Solar Roadways are glass-covered solar panels that cars can drive on, turning roads into clean-energy power plants. They contain microprocessors that allow each individual solar panel to communicate with the others for maximum efficiency. Beyond generating electricity to recharge the vehicles, these roadways can heat themselves, preventing ice and snow accumulation; they also feature LED lights that can be used to create road markings without paint.
Stage of Development
- Early Stage
- Established Prototype
- Scaling
- Other
Organization to Receive Funds
Solar Roadways Inc. Established 2006.
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