Solar Roadways

For the past two years, Americans have been alerted to the increasing problems with the deteriorating conditions of our infrastructures. Not only are we witnessing problems with water, pollution but with our roadways. The increase in deterioration of aging roads and bridges has placed an added strain upon the national budget to maintain and manage the roadway systems of the nation. Solutions to the problem are being sought after from all logical, and some not, sources. Recently the Department of Transportation has awarded a $100,000 contract with Solar Roadways to build a prototype of their solution – Roadways paved with rugged specially built solar panels. The solution would aid in the reduction for the need of oil in the construction and manufacture of asphalt roadways and parking lots. Roadway maintenance and construction saw a huge surge in the cost of doing business, due to the higher crude oil prices of recent years. The implementation of solar road panels would allow for many great benefits. Solar panels if placed on all paved surfaces in the nation would provide three time the electricity consumed by this country. Not only would this allow for the generation of electricity, but would contain LED lighting, heating (to prevent icing), high-voltage power transmission lines, and open the door for electric transportation. The arguments for the use of solar panels on roadways out weigh any resistance i could generate. Yes, it would cost a lot of money, but the costs are said to be the same as the amount we spend on power plants, grid infrastructure and asphalt roadways. It does seem to be worth looking into. The only problem I could have with the concept is, would it be dangerous if wet? The contract with the DOT will be used to investigate the feasibility of this solution and I personally have high hopes for the project. To learn more about Solar Roadways visit their web site: www.solarroadways.com