Roads of the future may not be paved with asphalt but rather covered in solar glass panels. That's the crazy concept Julie and Scott Brusaw have been working on since 2009.
The U.S. Department of Transportation even gave them a $100,000 grant to carry out their project.
The Brusaws first textured a highly durable glass roadway surface to provide the same kind of grip as asphalt. Then, they added LEDs under the glass to create light-up lane markings (you can't paint a solar panel without making it useless). An integrated heating system even prevents ice and snow buildup.
A working prototype of their solar road currently functions as their driveway. The pair now seeks $1 million in crowdfunding to take their invention to the masses in the form of parking lot paving and sidewalks. The electricity generated by these small-scale test areas will be capable of powering local businesses and save folks from having to shovel snow.
One million dollars may seem a lot, but these solar roadways are supposed to generate much more revenue in power than they cost to produce.
Source : dvice.com
The U.S. Department of Transportation even gave them a $100,000 grant to carry out their project.
The Brusaws first textured a highly durable glass roadway surface to provide the same kind of grip as asphalt. Then, they added LEDs under the glass to create light-up lane markings (you can't paint a solar panel without making it useless). An integrated heating system even prevents ice and snow buildup.
A working prototype of their solar road currently functions as their driveway. The pair now seeks $1 million in crowdfunding to take their invention to the masses in the form of parking lot paving and sidewalks. The electricity generated by these small-scale test areas will be capable of powering local businesses and save folks from having to shovel snow.
One million dollars may seem a lot, but these solar roadways are supposed to generate much more revenue in power than they cost to produce.
Source : dvice.com