Since solar energy represents one of the most important sources of alternative energy for the future, there are quite a lot of companies out there that have decided to tackle this field, in the hope of achieving a major breakthrough. And that's also the case with Solar Roadways, which has just managed to obtain a research grant (DOT contract) from the US government regarding the development of some ultra-rugged solar panels that will be able to instantly turn any road into a huge solar power receiver.

According to the company's statement, by using these panels, Solar Roadways will be able to collect solar energy to power businesses and homes in a much easier manner. These structurally engineered solar panels can be driven upon and are intended to be placed in parking lots and roadways instead of petroleum-based asphalt surfaces.

The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded LEDs, which “paint” the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving, as well as to give up to the minute instructions (via the road) to drivers (i.e. "detour ahead"). The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to "slow down."

Furthermore, there will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. This feature-packed system will become an intelligent highway that will double as a secure, intelligent, decentralized, self-healing power grid, which will enable a gradual weaning from fossil fuels.

By using such a system, fully electric vehicles will be able to recharge along the roadway and in parking lots, finally making electric cars practical for long trips. Of course, everything you've read about above is still in a development stage, but if all goes well, we might see the first solar-panel paved streets become a reality in just a few years' time.


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