Would you say that there is a good future for Solar Roadways?

 

The concept of solar roadways is still in the research and development, and prototype phase.

This article with input from the Department of Transportation indicates that nationwide use of solar roadways may not actually be practical. However, they also indicate that the technology is developing and will have practical applications.

 Realistically, I think the solar roadway concept is more likely to be limited to parking lots, and maybe small scale public roads - like in downtown areas. I also think the application will be most practical in states which received abundant sunshine year round. While the idea of heated roadways in snowy regions sounds like a great idea, there are practical considerations which would need to be addressed. Not the least of which is how practical it will be when it has to draw from the grid to heat the road because there is not enough solar energy due to darkness or overcast skies.

 Don't get me wrong, I think it's an awesome concept which will make a difference. Even if it is ONLY used in parking lots.

Yes I do think that is our future ... we have small items already in the boating industry supplying the needed electricity for instruments; parking lot lights, traffic lights are already tested and working great.

The housing market in Europe is so far that they send the surplus back into the net..

ESA and Nasa are utilizing it on space crafts; Japan has invented a solar mat ...

I can imagine that solar devices are mounted on light poles to give cars wifi signals or as

Daimler Benz currently tests their "diver-less automobile", where road ways are having buried wires in the road giving sensors in the car where it needs to go and when to stop for people or traffic lights... however they also states that it is recommended to have a licensed driver  behind the wheel just in case something male functions.....

No Utopia is not quite here yet ..but not far away...

 

I found also a reference about the tilt ... thought I had seen in2009 also a reference northwards that at solarnova.de, but as years passes so do the websites...

 

See more at: http://www.wholesundesigns.com/blog/category/solar-panels#sthash.vVDagHeF.dpuf

"Since the sun’s path changes throughout the year and your modules produce the most electricity when hit directly by the sun’s rays it is best to have your modules tilted at an angle in-between0 and90 degrees. The optimal angle to tilt your modules at is equal to your latitude in the northern hemisphere. Chicago, Illinois is at42° N latitude while Dallas, Texas is at33° N latitude which means a solar module in Chicago should be tilted at42° while a module in Dallas would perform better over the year tilted at33° (see diagrams). - 

People are working on it. Read this: we started batting around the idea of replacing asphalt and concrete surfaces with solar panels that could be driven upon. We thought of the "black box" on airplanes: We didn't know what material that black box was made of, but it seemed to be able to protect sensitive electronics from the worst of airline crashes. Suppose we made a section of road out of this material and housed solar cells to collect energy, which could pay for the cost of the panel, thereby creating a road that would pay for itself over time. What if we added LEDs to "paint" the road lines from beneath, lighting up the road for safer night time driving? What if we added a heating element in the surface (like the defrosting wire in the rear window of our cars) to prevent snow/ice accumulation in northern climates? The ideas and possibilities just continued to roll in and the Solar Roadway project was born.

Since we've plundered the earth for a while now anything that helps save the enviroment and saves natural resources is a great idea.

I really don't think so, a road needs to take heavy loads and picks up a lot of dirt. The angle of the solarpanel is also important, so on roads ,

On roofs : yes

A food for the mind to think about.  A good idea spark....Nice explanations by the experts...A Nice question by Mr. Alex Al Yazouri. I wish to support the positive elements.

The Solar Roadways Concept - Has a future, but like all emerging technologies it has a long way to go.

 

One just has to look at solar panels to understand how complex the problem is. It requires buy in from numerous parties (Tech Companies / Customers / Governments etc.) In the case of Solar Roadways there needs to be a few more success stories with the technology before major investment occurs in both its development and application.

 

The short answer is that Solar Roadways has the potential to be part of the long term solution.

 

Unfortunately business tends to think very short term.

I am with Mr. Yaqoob and Elke woofter answer.

Maybe, but I think there is a good future for both renewable and non-renewable energy in the same way. 

Did by helping of Google Translated.

Well answer agree by experts <<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Yes, we have the technologies to succeed. The application geography will need attention.