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Solar-powered roads could make snow disappear

The same solar panels that heat our homes could soon keep our streets free of snow and ice.

By John PlattWed, Jan 19 2011 at 2:20 PM EST
 6

snowy road Photo: Thomas Quine/Flickr
 
Winter storms recently left Atlanta and other cities paralyzed by an overabundance of snow and ice. But what if road crews weren't as crucial for clearing streets and highways? What if the roads could clear themselves?
 
That's the idea behind two different solar-powered road systems currently in development. The systems would store the power of the sun to help clear streets and possibly provide an alternative source of electricity.
 
"We have more than 3 million miles of highways exposed to sunlight, so if we can harness this energy, it's free," Rajib Mallick, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, told CNN.
 
Mallick's idea is to embed pavement with fluid-filled pipes. The fluid, which would be resistant to freezing, would be heated by the sun and stored in an insulated chamber. When ice and snow hit the roads, the heated fluid could be released to melt the snow. The heat from the fluid could also be used to provide electricity to nearby buildings.
 
The project's cost is estimated at $12,500 for every 50 meters of pipe, plus annual maintenance costs of $1,000. But Mallick tells CNN the system could pay for itself in six months while also providing enough electricity to heat 55 homes for one month a year.
 
A similar idea is in development in Idaho by engineer Scott Brusaw, founder of Solar Roadways. His system would replace traditional asphalt with sturdy solar panels. The Federal Highway Administration helped fund development of his prototype.
 
According to Brusaw's website, "The Solar Roadway is a series of structurally engineered solar panels that are driven upon." The solar panels would power LED lights in the road lines, help melt ice and snow, and provide electricity for charging electric cars and for nearby buildings. "This renewable energy," says the Solar Roadways site, "replaces the need for the current fossil fuels used for the generation of electricity. This, in turn, cuts greenhouse gases literally in half."
 
Each 12- by 12-foot Solar Roadway panel would cost $6,900, according to a 2009 report from PhysOrg.com. But each panel would also generate 7.6 kilowatt-hours of energy per day.
 
While solar-powered roads would cut state budgets for plowing, sanding and salting, finding the money to pay for them could be a challenge. "There aren't a lot of revenue sources to pay for this," Robert E. Lang, director of University of Nevada Las Vegas' Brookings Mountain West think tank, told CNN.
 
But Brusaw said opposition to solar roads is more based on fear than cost. "Change. It scares people, I think."
 
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bev_crandell
bev_crandell 01/28/2011 05:02 AM

Personally, I love this idea, however there will need to be something to help with the traction of the tire to the surface. Tires do not get good traction on a smooth surface, have you tried to drive on ice? Wishing you the best with your project!

anonymous
change for positive Today 01:52 AM

I have thought about this for a long time; makes sense, as does using all natural road solution such as one in local city using beet juice for any remaining snow....

wonderful idea. hope it comes to fruition.

anonymous
John B 01/23/2011 12:25 PM

This will not work in all geographic areas. Study the solar energy yield chart for various areas. Do not waste your time and money on some states.

I like the idea, show me the results! Get hopping with a test site. I do not think the concept is the stopping point, I believe it is a structural, cost issue.

anonymous
Kringle 01/21/2011 11:29 AM

Hello!

I've been trying to get politicians to look into a concept that I call "Hydroelectric Highways".

Essentially, much like this proposal, but a permeable surface that is temperature controlled such that you eliminate surface water and its ability to freeze; capture and filter it using subsurface structures, generate hydroelectric energy on grades, and store/use it for civic application.

I would propose a sort of JAD design to account for chemical spills/accidents,.... More

anonymous
Charlotte LoBuono 01/24/2011 13:41 PM

Kringle:

I am interested in learning more about the hydroelectric highway concept.

Best, Charlotte

anonymous
Doreen Blades 01/20/2011 15:43 PM

Hello,
Is there any information on the additional costs to adding these solutions to the roads. Are they thinking of trying it when the repaving or repairing of roads is being done? If a pipe breaks will it contaminate the soil? Just a few thoughts, although I like the idea.

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