Vlad Kovalenko + 115 VK December 20, 2017 By the end of this year China will have two kilometer long highway formed with solar panels and it could charge electric cars while driving on it. This highway will also be connected to the power grid to provide electricity to the city. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selva + 252 SP December 20, 2017 What does it mean it could charge EVs while driving? Is two kilometers long highway enough to charge an electric car? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Varga + 123 AV December 20, 2017 If a rapid charger at motorway service station can charge electric car to full in about 30 minutes then probably these two kilometers won't be enough to charge your car. But knowing China these two kilometers are just the beginning of much longer highway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodent + 1,424 December 20, 2017 hehe. I think the 2km is just like a test-strip. It looks pretty funky. France did the same too, last year. THey have just a small stretch of road Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad Kovalenko + 115 VK December 20, 2017 France did it for powering street lighting. Nothing about charging electric vehicles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selva + 252 SP December 20, 2017 Netherlands, land of bikes, built the first solar bike path three years ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodent + 1,424 December 20, 2017 22 minutes ago, Vlad Kovalenko said: France did it for powering street lighting. Nothing about charging electric vehicles. Oh, whoops! Thanks for the correction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selva + 252 SP December 29, 2017 Although solar road sounds pretty attractive but it has unattractive side. This road costs about $458 per square meter regarding to $5 per square meter of asphalt road which makes this project pretty non cost effective. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Varga + 123 AV December 29, 2017 What concern me is a safety of these roads. Solar roads mean like you're driving on transparent surfaces, which reduces the amount of gravel and rocks needed for friction. And that means you can't stop your car safely. What would happen if there is rain or snow on this road? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LAOIL + 33 OS December 30, 2017 Any plans for such in the US? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad Kovalenko + 115 VK January 4, 2018 One solar road was installed in Idaho and soon got a name a "total and epic failure". That pretty much says how successful it was. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Varga + 123 AV January 4, 2018 That was a very expensive and long project for such a fiasco. $4 million in 6.5 years and 25 out of the 30 solar panels malfunction within the first week. Unsuccessful is the least we could say for this project. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Selva + 252 SP January 5, 2018 I've read something about it. It was a husband and wife company from Idaho behind this project. They also planned to make a section of Route 66 near a rest stop in Conway, Missouri into America's first solar road. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad Kovalenko + 115 VK January 5, 2018 Now I'm lost. Who had solar road first? Idaho or Missouri? Does any of them got one at all? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam Varga + 123 AV January 8, 2018 Bad beginning for China's solar highway. It has been vandalized and sensitive parts have been stolen. And it all happened just five days after its opening. Damage cost more than $1,540. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites