Solar Roadways

Don't know if anybody here has heard of these guys, but they are pretty ambitious with what I think is a great concept. They are crowdfunding the next step. They have already built a concept parking lot at their lab. Check it out.

http://solarroadways.com
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways

They first got on my radar in August, 2009. Aside from the glass "pavement", it's more about building an integrated system than inventing anything. I personally suspect the first applications will be parking lots, basketball courts, and perhaps runways for light aircraft. The problems tend to be more regulatory (regarding producing and distributing electricity) rather than technological. The cost of asphalt for roads is directly related to the cost of oil and may be the deciding economic factor coupled with the regulatory regime.

What I think is really neat is that if you chip in $10,000 to their fundraiser, you get a miniature road panel complete with solar cells, LED lighting, and the glass surface. Of course, you should get something good for that kind of donation.

I'd love to see this replace our current roads. I don't know how many more potholes my poor i-MiEV can take.

I don't think they've considered the possible addition of wireless recharging yet, although they have considered making pluggable charging easily accessible.

They mention inductive charging in a couple of places, including the IndieGoGo page.

Their fundraiser has exploded in the last couple of days. They're now up to $80,707. Another 19 days of raising at this rate of growth, they may meet their goal.

They met their goal today! The fundraising continues on. It ends in 6 six days.

Soon we may be driving on our power source.