The future is here! Again. I know we’ve been using this phrase a lot, given that so many amazing things keep happening in the world of science, but this time it’s the actual thing. Solar. Freakin’. Roadways. And they’ve raised 220% of their goal sum on Indiegogo, which means we actually get to see the beginning of solar roadways in our lifetime.
[adsense300gray]Solar Roadways is basically a modular paving system of solar panels, capable of withstanding even the heaviest of trucks, at 250,000 pounds. The Solar Road Panels can be installed anywhere under the sun, from roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, bike paths to playgrounds… and more! Not to mention that they basically pay for themselves, by generating enough electricity to power the homes and businesses connected via driveways and parking lots. Such a system implemented nationwide could actually produce more clean renewable energy than any given country uses. These Solar Road Panels don’t stop their awesomeness here – they have many other features as well, including: heating elements to stay snow/ice free, LEDs to make any road lines and signage without the need for repainting every time something changes, and an attached Cable Corridor to store and treat storm-water and provide a safe place for power and data cables. Electrical Vehicles will be able to charge with energy from the sun directly from parking lots and driveways, the plan being that after an actual roadway system is in place, mutual induction technology will allow for charging while driving.
And just look at the precious people that are trying to make this happen! Scott is an electrical engineer (MSEE) and Julie is a counselor (MA LCPC LMFT) in private practice. Scott has worked in the engineering field for over 25 years and his main fields of expertise are in hardware, firmware, and software. They have started this project in 2006, and finally got the funds it takes to revolutionize the way we interconnect things. Take a good look at these faces, because they’ll probably be in textbooks one hundred years from now.
