According to this article, the Netherlands built the first solar panel road in 2014. France plans to 621 miles of solar roads in the next 5 years. Germany and US companies seem to be planning the same. However, are these roads economically effective? According to Solar Roadways, if every road in the US was a solar panel, they would create three times the amount of power used in the US. In theory, it seems to be a great solution to finding alternate forms of energy. However, cost is an issue. Solar panel installation is already quiet pricey, and these panels would require a lot of maintenance work. However, advancements in solar panel technology may make this a viable practice in the future.
This development is important because, while they may be impractical at the time, solar panel roads may be used heavily in the future. It is important to consider all form of alternative energy, even the ones that at first seem a bit absurd.
This development is important because, while they may be impractical at the time, solar panel roads may be used heavily in the future. It is important to consider all form of alternative energy, even the ones that at first seem a bit absurd.