A 3-year pilot project/experimental bike path with solar panels has generated more than 3,000 kilowatt-hours during its first six months of operation in Amsterdam, Netherlands—far exceeding engineers’ expectations. The project could pave the way for solar-roadway technologies being used to power street lights, traffic systems, and electric cars. “SolaRoad”—first-of-its-kind path—opened in November 2014 in Krommenie, a village northwest of the Dutch city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. So far, it has generated enough energy to power a one-person household for an entire year [Associated Press reported].
“We did not expect a yield as high as this so quickly,” Sten de Wit, Engineer/Senior Advisor-Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Helmond, Netherlands (TNO-Netherlands), which is part of the consortium that created the 70-meter-long path—a “golden triangle” of industry, research institutions, and government—that is collectively creating innovation: TNO; the Province of Noord-Holland; Imtech; and Ooms Civiel.
The concrete path is studded with ordinary silicon solar panels that are protected by a centimeter-thick layer of safety glass. The transparent, skid-resistant glass can support bicycles, pedestrians and vehicle traffic. Electricity generated by the panels is fed into the electricity grid. Since the path opened, it’s been used by more than 150,000 cyclists. Severe weather and temperature fluctuations have caused the coating on the protective glass to shrink and peel, but repairs have been made and engineers are in the advanced stages of an improved coating. SolaRoad’s test phase is projected to last three years.
In the United States, a similar initiative to build solar energy-generating roads is underway. Dubbed “Solar Roadways”, the Idaho-based project launched a successful “Indiegogo” campaign last year to fund the concept to replace roadways with solar panels. According to its website, Solar Roadways is still in its research and development phase.
For the “SolaRoad” article, please click here.
For the US article on solar road technology, please click here.
For other solar panel articles, please click here and click here.
