SolaRoad
The SolaRoad is the world's first bike path made from solar panels, and is a prototype project testing the feasibility of various proposal for smart highways. The 100-metre (330 ft) path opened in the week of 21 October 2014,[1] and was designed by a consortium of organizations, which built the pathway in Krommenie, Netherlands.[2][3]
The path was formally opened in November 2014 by the Dutch Minister of Energy Henk Kamp.[4]
Consortium
The technology was developed by a consortium consisting of Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Imtech and Ooms Civiel, with support of the province North Holland as owner of the path.[5]
Technology
The road surface consists of prefabricated panels with a surface of 1 centimetre (0.39 in) thick hardened glass. Beneath the glass solar cells are installed. TNO states that this energy can be used for lighting of the road, traffic lights and road signs. The energy is also delivered to local dwellings. TNO thinks in future electrical vehicles might be driven by the road itself.[5] This prototype will be studied over the next three years.
In the first month, the path delivered enough energy to sustain one family.[6]
Problems
On 26 December 2014, a 1-square-metre (11 sq ft) section of the top-layer coating detached from the glass layer, and that portion of the bike path had to be repaired.[7]
Critics of the technology see several problems:[8]
- The panels might get dirty, because they are laying flat. Mud, snow, etc. might accumulate on the surface.
- The panels cannot be tilted for highest efficiency, which can be done in a roof installation.
- Cyclists will block the sunlight when passing.
- The costs are considered high.
See also
References
- ↑ de Wit, Sten; Saenz, Soraya Rosa; van Dieren, Jannemieke (21 October 2014). "SolaRoad opens: The first road in the world that converts sunlight into electricity is ready for use" (PDF) (Press release). SolaRoad.
- ↑ Spakovskis, Robert (7 November 2014). "SolaRoad: World's first solar cycle path to open in the Netherlands". Phys.org.
- ↑ Mlot, Stephanie (10 November 2014). "The Netherlands Preps World's First Solar Road". PC Magazine.
- ↑ Official website Solaroad company
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 TNO about the technology
- ↑ Cobouw
- ↑ "Zonnecellen-fietspad SolaRoad beschadigd" (in Dutch). 5 January 2015.
- ↑ RTL Nieuws
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