A solar roadway is a street surface that produces electricity. It consists of a glass layer, an electronic layer, and a base plate layer. The construction process involves furnishing and wiring the base plate, placement and connection of solar photovoltaic cells with the previously placed layers, and finally, the positioning of the glass layer. A solar roadway is not suitable for heavy vehicles since it cannot withstand very heavy loads.
Solar roadways are employed to generate electricity by using solar photovoltaic cells thus contributing to sustainable development. This type of roadway was first built in France in 2016.
Components of Solar Roadways
1. Glass Layer
It is the upper part of the road on which low-weight vehicles and bicycles can travel. The glass layer should have good durability, fire resistance, and adequate strength to protect the layers underneath.
2. Electronic Layer
The electronic layer is placed below the glass layer and is composed of solar photovoltaic cells and chipboard. The chipboard senses the loads and controls and monitors the fixed heating element within the surface layer. The electronic layer converts light vitality to electric energy. The electronic layer is manufactured from aluminum.
3. Base Plate Layer
It is the bottom-most layer of a solar roadway that collects the electrical energy and transmits it to the power station. The base plate layer is manufactured from steel and supports the other layers while resisting the external weather conditions. Â
Advantages of Solar Roadways
The main purpose of solar roadways is to produce clean renewable energy on roadways and any other surface that can be walked or driven upon. That includes sidewalks, driveways, tarmacs, parking lots, plazas, bike paths, etc.
They provide the following advantages:
- Contribute to decrease in global warming
- Generate electricity
- Illuminate roads
- The generated electricity can be used to recharge electric cars
- Solar roadways can release heat to melt snow and ice on the roads
- Enhance power lighting
- The solar base plate is completely reusable
- They do not soften at high temperatures and do not need paint
FAQs
A solar roadway is a street surface that produces electricity. It consists of a glass layer, an electronic layer, and a base plate layer. The construction process involves furnishing and wiring the base plate, placement and connection of solar photovoltaic cells with the previously placed layers, and finally, the positioning of the glass layer. Solar roadways are not suitable for heavy vehicles since they cannot withstand very heavy loads.
1. Contribute to the reduction in global warming
2. Generate electricity
3. Illuminate roads
4. The generated electricity can be used to recharge electric cars
5. It releases heat to melt snow and ice on the roads
6. Enhance power lighting
7. The solar base plate is completely reusable
8. They do not soften at high temperatures and do not need paint.
The solar roadways can reduce pollution, improve economy, and generate renewable electricity.
Solar roadways are made of three essential layers namely; a glass layer, an electronic layer, and a base plate layer.
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