Phys.org reports on a pilot project in the Netherlands to generate power from solar panels in a bike path that has so far exceeded expectations:
The first six months of the pilot phase were successful, according to a SolaRoad press release issued earlier this month. The energy yield was beyond their expectations. Spokesperson Sten de Wit said they were surprised to see the level of success so quickly. Case in point: "The bike road opened half a year ago and already generated over 3,000 kWh," he said. "If we translate this to an annual yield, we expect more than the 70 kWh per square meter per year, which we predicted as an upper limit in the laboratory stage. We can therefore conclude that it was a successful first half year."
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Wednesday May 13 2015, @02:55PM
So? It's not like they couldn't have set up a loan program to install panels in any of the places I listed out, charging slightly less on loan payments than the private owner will save in electric bills. Or they could do the overhead structure similar to what's used on parking lots over the asphalt they own.
Solar panels are great. Let's use them in cost-effective ways, though.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Wednesday May 13 2015, @03:06PM
In the past, many have laughed at new scientific developments but fortunately that did not deter the people doing the groundbreaking work. True, currently there are easier and more effective ways of collecting solar power, but I can't think of any that exploit road and path surfaces. There are obstacles to be overcome, sure, but what we might learn in the process could be valuable for the future and, if the final project is successful, then the Dutch will be having the last laugh. If they can solve the problems and come up with a cost-effective solution (and I accept that is a big 'if') they will be on to a winner.