This is slightly old news, but some of you might not have heard of it already. Others who have heard of it might just like to be reminded so they can get excited over it all over again.
Assuming you get as excited as me over these sorts of innovations.
In November the Netherlands opened the first solar road, as in road that produces energy through solar panels. Granted it was a 70m cycle lane, but it was just a test drive. If it works out, like they thing it will then a lot more like it are planned. Adapting the technology to a cycle lane is far easier since bicycles are lighter and wear down roads far less than cars, or even worse lorries. Plus in countries like the Netherlands where large amounts of people cycle regularly, there are a lot of cycle lanes.
The bike path in question connects the Amsterdam suburbs of Krommenie and Wormerveer and around 2,000 cyclists ride its two lanes on an average day. A 70m stretch of one of the lanes has been embedded with rows of crystalline silicon solar cells, encased within concrete and covered with a translucent layer of tempered glass. A non-adhesive finish and a slight tilt have been given to help the rain wash off dirt guaranteeing maximum exposure to sunlight.Since the path cannot be adjusted to the position of the sun, the panels produce roughly 30% less energy than those fixed on to roofs. Nonetheless, when the path is extended to 100 metres in 2016, its creators hope that it will produce enough energy to power three households. Which if you think of it is pretty great!
The Netherlands’ TNO research institute, which developed the concept behind the solar bicycle path believe that up to 20% of the Netherlands’ 140,000km of road could potentially be adapted.
In practice the solar road is a lot more textured than standard concrete or tarmac, which on one hand makes it a bit of a harder ride for the cyclists, but on the other provides a more slip-proof surface.
Fingers crossed the idea catches on fast!
Sources:
The Guardian
Extreme Tech
SolaRoad
pandora pavlides 