Two lanes of solar roadway, Tourouvre-au-Perche, Normandy, France
Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA/The Guardian
Solar panel roads were first introduced to the world on Indiegogo in 2014 – funded to the tune of $US2,275,688 by 50,048 backers on 21 June of that year.
Now, a 1km (0.6-mile) solar road, containing 2,800 m2 of solar panels has been opened in France, at a cost of €5m (£UK4.3m, $US5.3 m). Obviously, cost is high compared to other roads, but a realistic comparison would include the cost of installation of the same surface area of solar panels.
Durability & power generation will be evaluated in a two year trial period. Cost reduction will also be a priority.
Solar panels are pitched at an angle to make the most of available sunlight. However, in Normandy, where the solar road has been built, cloud-free days are relatively rare – 44 days per year in Caen, the regional capital. On cloudy days, sunlight comes from all parts of the sky with almost equal strength, so flat-mounted solar panels, as in a solar road, may be an effective orientation.
Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/12/worlds-first-solar-road-opens-in-france/
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/22/solar-panel-road-tourouvre-au-perche-normandy / world's first solar panel road opens Normandy village Tourouvre-au-Perche cost construction €5m two-year test period test phase evaluate solar panel road provide energy power street lighting France world’s first solar panel road Normandy village 1km 0.6-mile route small village Tourouvre-au-Perche covered 2,800 sq m electricity-generating panels inaugurated Thursday ecology minister Ségolène Royal cost €5m £4.2m construct used 2,000 motorists day during two-year test period generate enough energy power street lighting village 3,400 residents 2014 solar-powered cycle path Krommenie the Netherlands teething problems has generated 3,000kWh energy power average family home year cost building cycle path solar-powered road called Wattway opened RD5 road panels tested four car parks across France constructor Colas giant telecoms group Bouygues financed by the state Normandy sunshine Caen region political capital just 44 days strong sunshine year Royal solar panels installed 1,000km French highway France 1m km roads panels laid on flat surfaces less efficient installed sloping areas roofs critics cost-effective use of public money Marc Jedliczka vice-president Network Energetic Transition CLER technical advance develop renewables other priorities very expensive Jean-Louis Bal president renewable energy union SER cost production electricity lifespan Colas panels covered resin containing fine sheets silicon tough enough withstand all traffic reduce costs producing solar panels projects solar-panelled roads /
