Solar technology in solar roadways By kelson randle ENGR – 1050 - 001 12/2/2012

3 basic layers Top layer is super strong glass The middle layer is its Electronics The bottom layer

Glass Layer Super Strong and can easily support the wait of any vehicle. Is heated to keep snow and ice off it. Tests show that it keeps it perfectly dry in the winter. Is textured to match asphalt. Their first test they actually had to lower the texture cause it was too rough. Is clear enough to let light through to the solar panels. Seals in the lower layers and is completely weather proof.

Electronics layer Has a microprocessor Has LED lights that shine through the glass layer for lines, signs, and crosswalks. Has pressure sensors to warn of wildlife or people walking across the road. Connects wirelessly to other panels and sends a signal if a neighboring panel is broken. Collects the power with solar cells. Controls the heating system.

Support layer. The base layer routs all the power, any data running through the tiles, and environmentally seals the electronics.

What is the benefit? Power Price Comparison 1 mile of 4 lane highway is enough to power 428 homes. If all roads were replaced it would generate 13,900 BILLION Kilowatt- hours per day! That would easily solve our energy crisis. The solar panels they are using collect at an 18% efficacy. It would cost less to implement than to maintain roads once it is being manufactured on a large scale. Over its 20 year lifespan per tile, it will have paid for itself Tiles will be able to be refurbished and reused for even cheaper. Can also house data lines like cable, phone, and any other line. Asphalt is petroleum based, which has gone up in price 500% in the last 5 years. It doesn’t pay for itself Road repair takes FOREVER! No return, at all, of any sort. No safety features Have to plow snow and salt in cold weather.

For the environment! This could almost eliminate non renewable fuel dependencies. This would enable charging stations anywhere including fast food parking lots or rest stops, making it viable to buy and use electric cars. About 40% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions stem from the burning of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity generation. Coal accounts for 93% of the emissions from the electric utility industry. Say goodbye to that.

Sources ASIM, N., & SOPIAN, K. (2011). PERSPECTIVE OF NANOMATERIALS IN SOLAR CELL. International Journal Of Nanoscience, 10(6), 1197-1208.   Veirman, J. J., Dubois, S. S., Enjalbert, N. N., Garandet, J. P., & Lemiti, M. M. (2011). Electronic properties of highly-doped and compensated solar-grade silicon wafers and solar cells. Journal Of Applied Physics, 109(10), 103711. doi:10.1063/1.3585800 Siriroj, S., Pimanpang, S., Towannang, M., Maiaugree, W., Phumying, S., Jarernboon, W., & Amornkitbamrung, V. (2012). High performance dye-sensitized solar cell based on hydrothermally deposited multiwall carbon nanotube counter electrode. Applied Physics Letters, 100(24), 243303. doi:10.1063/1.4726177 Brusaw, J. a. (2013). Retrieved from Solar Roadways: http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml