Solar Roads - Are They Feasible?

To answer my own question, the technology behind the concept is solid, and is very practical! In the interest of not providing false or misleading information, there is not some massive plan in the works to change every piece of pavement into an energy-absorbing piece of roadway. Rather, the inventor, Scott Brusaw, has indicated that this technology would be most useful in parking lots, cul-de-sacs, and essentially anywhere there is a large area of pavement. For instance, if an entire Walmart parking lot were made from solar material, it could supply a vast majority (if not all) of the power the store requires to operate.

Production has already begun for glass which is sufficiently strong for this application. As it turns out, this idea is being taken quite seriously and is not just some crack-pot theory (which was my initial impression of this technology). Apparently the inventor has got the attention of the Federal Highway Administration and is currently in fourth place in the GE Ecomagination Challenge, a competitive funding opportunity that could get the project off the ground, so to speak.

As I mentioned above, the idea is being proposed as a solution to the power needs immediately surrounding the solar panels. For instance, throw this technology in a few cul-de-sacs and you could take a whole subdivision off the power grid, according to the research being conducted. Preliminary testing is showing these panels to be efficient even in cloudy weather.

Scott Brusaw and a demonstration solar panel

Not to mention, since the roadway will be made from glass, you could add LED lights (see above image) which could display speed limits, crosswalks, and other pertinent information. Pricing is irrelevant at this point, but the inventor is indicating that it won't cost much more than traditional asphalt by the time it reaches mass production.

I can't see any negatives to this technology whatsoever, and would be more than ecstatic to see this implemented in my neighborhood! I'm interested to hear opinions on this.