Proven Solar Roads a solution for Hawaii

[kalakoa]

Batteries just aren't good enough yet.

I see the problem as more "fitness and suitability of purpose". Batteries work fine if you reduce the night load, which isn't that hard to do.

[MarkP]

Net metering is what it is. It saves you money as long as everything works. Store some of that energy in the form of money in a bank and some in the form of a generator. My own situation is that I have been "developing" my property in the standard Puna fashion, on a shoestring budget, and due to both financial constraints (SSPP fee) and my own somewhat irrational survivalist bent, I bought my own panels, batteries, etc. I prefer it that way. If I became wealthy tomorrow I would probably pay off the SSPP and finish off my place properly but at this point I would always feel naked without an off-grid capable system. That might be as simple as a generator although I think a proper setup should have a proper transfer switch and its own little shed for housing everything plus a set of metal gas cans. If I had the money to do it right I would have a hybrid system with batteries and solar as well as grid power. That's if I was wealthy and didn't have to choose though.

I just don't see how driving on a solar collector surface can work unless they were almost free. The only thing it saves you is the space. If I had workable solar panels, no matter if I could drive on them, I might build a carport out of them so I could park out of the rain.

[geochem]

quote:

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Originally posted by whalesong

This would be a fantastic way for the homeowners in private neighborhoods, paying for their roads, to create their own power source from their roads.

It's the roadway of the future! Feel inspired?

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What incredible nonsense... The entire concept is laughable - the debunking video, that is also available on youtube, is just the start - technological illiteracy at its worst. Can't imagine any problems that might crop up driving across a glass surfaced highway in the rain....

[PaulW]

"I wonder how many people with net metering during the storm's power outage would agree with you. No grid power - net metering was not working, unless you also had battery back up."

I agree with me, and I had net metering during the storm. We had no power for some time, no big deal. First time it's ever happened.
No point investing in batteries and generators that are going to rust away before the next time they're needed.

[Wao nahele kane]

$34.72 a month for batteries that keep your home from utilizing the grid power. How many with net metering pay less than $34.72 a month to Helco?

[whalesong]

I'm just so excited about Solar Roadways and double that seeing how the plans to transform our world is on fire with virtually unlimited potential and security for future generations to come.

We are way overdue for a new way to move about and connect the grid through sustainable technology. People need to hear about this and understand that this is not only possible, but necessary.

http://solarroadways.com/faq.shtml
Everyone has power. No more power shortages, no more roaming power outages, no more need to burn coal (50% of greenhouse gases). Less need for fossil fuels and less dependency upon foreign oil. Much less pollution. How about this for a long term advantage: an electric road allows all-electric vehicles to recharge anywhere: rest stops, parking lots, etc. They would then have the same range as a gasoline-powered vehicle. Internal combustion engines would become obsolete. Our dependency on oil would come to an abrupt end.

It's time to upgrade our infrastructure - roads and power grid - to the 21st century. They have raised over 2 million dollars and the Federal Govt are using this technology.
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[Wao nahele kane]

Keep in mind that energy sources cannot replace the need for oil even if said energy sources are used to power everything. Oil will still have an important role in such a society. If everything that required energy used alternate sources to that of petroleum it would cut its need by 95%.

[terracore]

To me solar roadways, parking lots, driveways, etc fail the common sense test. Why would you integrate a technology that can't be shaded with another technology that is designed to have things on top of it? What happens when it breaks down and needs to be repaired? They have a tough enough time keeping the traffic moving on asphalt.

I guess the argument could be made that at some point in the distant future a road can be coated with something that turns light into energy, but by then we'll all be flying around in fusion powered hover cars and solar technology (and automobile roads) will be historical footnotes.

[kander]

Total Pipe Dream.
It would be cheaper to put normal solar panels above the road.

[TomK]

Whalesong wrote:

"They have raised over 2 million dollars and the Federal Govt are using this technology."

How and where are the government using this technology?