1. By: Rob Hoffman, Michael Xu, & Dan Boucher
Solar Roads
By: Rob Hoffman, Michael Xu, & Dan Boucher

2. What are Solar Roadways?
Solar Roadways are complex structures of uniquely constructed solar panels.
They were designed in the shape of a hexagon to accommodate curves and hills. (Initial design was 12ft x 12ft panel)
Cable Corridor - sector that contains cables and stormwater capture system
3 Layers
Source 2

3. Layers Top Layer - Tempered Glass: Middle Layer - Electronics:
durable, transmits light well, textured for grip, lasts 20+ years
Middle Layer - Electronics:
LEDs, illuminates panels
Solar Cells, sends energy to storage system, important during night
Heating Element, stops ice and snow from accumulating, only on when needed
Base Layer - Recycled Materials
Source 2

4. What is the Purpose of a Solar Roadway?
Solar Roadways will primarily be used to generate clean renewable energy on anything drivable and walkable, sidewalks, plazas, etc.
Makes generally unutilized space useful by taking the solar energy that hits these surfaces and converts it into electricity.
Requires little maintenance.
Very smart
Hexagons talk to each other and can detect when other cells are broken
Source 2

5. LEDs allow for quick adaptations
Applications
Heats roads
LEDs allow for quick adaptations
illuminate lines, road hazards, passing emergency vehicles
Especially the ability to power buildings
Source 2

6. Solar Roadway Relevance
Very green due to recycled base, and decreased use of fossil fuels
Pays for itself over time
The U.S. has major energy needs
With advances in technology, the road infrastructure stays the same. Important to create better and safer highways to keep up with technology.
Urban stormwater pollution is large source of pollution in the nation’s water. The SR system also has a stormwater capture system, in the cable corridor, that allows it to be pumped anywhere.
Source 2

7. The project has been plagued with delays to due to economic woes.
History of Solar Roads
Sweden have been circulating hot water under the roads for de-icing for over 30 years (Refocus, Bill Holdsworth).
In the Netherlands, BetonSon has developed solar roads with “smart technologies”.
In 2004, BetonSon was contracted construct a 18km six lane motorway using this technology
The project has been plagued with delays to due to economic woes.
Image from extremetech.com

8. Current Solar Road Infrastructure and Research
Solar runways can eliminate ice and snow from airport surfaces, which eliminates the need for snowplows
These solar runways can collect thermal energy from tarmac and heat the runway.
Amsterdam, Frankfurt Airport, and London Heathrow are considering these technologies.
Image from Smithsonian Magazine

9. Current Solar Road Infrastructure and Research
In 2008, researchers at the WPI published a paper saying that it is viable to run water under asphalt roads to generate steam (American Ceramic Society Journal).
Roads are resurfaced every years
Researchers and engineers were developing a proof of concept at the time of the article was published.

10. The Future of Solar Roads
Solar Roadways- Received funding for solar roads in Idaho
Hope to replace all highways one day

11. Elon Musk- Founder of Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity (7)
Just unveiled solar roof tiles on October 28th (7)
(Washington Post)

12. Solar roads need to be tested to see if they are:
Future Research
Solar roads need to be tested to see if they are:
feasible financially
effective in producing power
safe for drivers
More research will be needed for reducing costs and efficiency

13. Green way of reaching the world’s energy needs Safer Easier to replace
Conclusion
Green way of reaching the world’s energy needs
Safer
Easier to replace
Some testing and implementation has been completed
….But much more is needed
(pinterest.com)

14. Any Questions?

15. Sources
AP. "Solar-Energy Roadway Test Begins in Netherlands." Nytimes.com. The New York Times,11 Nov Web. 5 Oct <
Brusaw, Julie. "Solar Roadways Specifics." Specifics. N.p., Web. 25 Oct
"Collecting Solar Energy Via Asphalt Roads." American Ceramic Society Bulletin (2008).
Print.Lisa Suhay, Correspondent. "Rt. 66 gets test run of solar road." Christian Science Monitor 24
June 2016: N.PAG. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 5 Oct
"Solar Energised Roads and Infrastructures." Refocus. 4.3 (2003): Print.
Etherington, Darrell. "Why Tesla’s New Solar Roof Tiles and Home Battery Are Such a Big deal." TechCrunch. N.p., 31 Oct Web. 01 Nov <