Glass-Paved Roads Provide Solar Power

I can't imagine how expensive this would be. First, just the mechanical parts below to support cells is probably just as expensive as a road. Each hexagon has LEDs and control circuitry.

This isn't a cost or energy saver, IMO. Perfect for an amusement park walkway, maybe, in addition to a railroad station walkway.

Mike

 

Great idea, but a nightmare to manage. How many tiles might be stolen from such a system?

 

Since they are all networked I guess you could track them down via the MAC address

But that isn't what is dumb about them. Here are a few of the many dumb/costly things:
1. The idea of using the LEDs as lane markers. Seriously? How much power would that take during daylight to see them?
2. The degradation of solar power due to the poor angle to the sun, shading (cars do drive on them), dirt and grit, etc minus all the LED lights and network connections make the net yield of solar PV probably negative
3. Wouldn't it be cheaper to build a regular road and cover the sidewalks on either side with south facing/tilted solar that is actually a net energy gain?
4. Roads need to be smooth for good mpg for cars...roads need to have good friction for proper handling and braking. Miss the mark on the combination of the two of these and you lose energy and/or safety regardless of any solar gain.
5. Nonsense about heating them in snow. It will just cause more ice somewhere...and the power to melt the ice wouldn't be coming from the sun.

Like I said...this might be a good idea for a theme park walkway or even a small section of a road where you drop off a car for a valet.