Solar-powered glass roads the way of the future? (W/video)

[DainBramaged]

Scott Brusaw, an engineer from Idaho, believes so. With aid and interest from the federal government and General Electric, Brusaw has been refining his concept of the road of the future. Super-strong glass and solar cells embedded below the top layers could serve as both a nexus of travel and energy.

As the sun energizes the solar cells, energy can be transferred to power street signs, nearby homes and roadside businesses. In snowy climates, the collected energy could heat the roadway and melt snow and ice, eliminating the need for large fleets of plows.

Brusaw insists that glass developers can create a strong enough material that traction and durability would not be an issue. A few problems do stand in the way of course, as is typically the case with new ideas and technology. Most notable of these problems is the issue of cost. Brusaw estimates that it would costs about $4.4 million per mile to lay down this super-glass roadway. Of course, the road would eventually recoup that money and even generate a greater return, but the initial cost is a daunting one.

Brusaw hopes to begin proving the effectiveness of the technology and he is going to do so by starting smaller by teaming up with a nationwide chain to revamp existing parking lots. The lots could be heated and also over a recharging station for electric vehicles.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/28/solar-powered-glass-roads-the-way-of-the-future-w-video/

[Capitalocracy]

1. We should start with our own driveways.

Then the numbers will be indisputable, as people will learn from their neighbors, and they'll have no choice but to go for it. This is a great idea.

[sakabatou]

2. One issue I see coming would be how to repair the road

and weather conditions.

[MilesColtrane]

3. The initial outlay of $4.4 trillion to convert 1/4 of the public roads to this technology would...

triple the current budget deficit.

That's without figuring in repair costs.

[qazplm]

4. sounds like something you'd have to do

over a generation to spread the cost, but that would directly coincide with predicted peak oil so that would actually work out.

It's a huge cost though, no doubt...maybe strategic placement in certain areas over others would help reduce the cost.

[beyurslf]

5. When talking about solar energy and where to place the cells,

I have often wondered why panels could not line up following the interstate highway system. It would give 1000's of miles, all over the country, and could easily be hooked into existing electric grids.

[DLnyc]

6. "What total area of the USA is paved?"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070719230638AAVVZR0
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". . . At 61,000 square miles, that is bigger than the state of Georgia but smaller than Wisconsin. If you took all the paved area and made it into it's own state, it would rank 24th in area. . . ."
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10,000 square miles has often been cited as the area required to collect an amount of solar energy equivalent to the entire world's energy usage.