Solar Roads Could Power An Entire Country

[240 is Back]

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/solar-roads-could-power-entire-country

Does this have to be left vs right?   Or could it just be "Wow, our country could save a TON of $ with this?"
Is it a liberal wussy position to want to find new forms of energy?  Or do repubs like this idea too?

[OzmO]

is it cost effective?

[falco]

They would wear out fast. Solar panels are extremeley fragile.

[Straw Man]

The Sun has a well known liberal bias

[OzmO]

No way this is cost effective.  Solar panels cost way too much.  and then there is the upkeep lol.


Stupid idea

[24KT]

This is a totally awesome idea, would be cost effective, feasible, and totally viable.

Big oil would fight it tooth & nail though, ...too much profit for them in asphalt

It would take a sovereign country not owned by big oil, one interested in long term sustainability to implement it.

[OzmO]

It all comes down to costs.

Cost of panels that are strong enough to adequately resist wear that need to cover millions of miles of roads.

Cost to maintain them.

Cost to install them.

Right now we don't have the technology to do it cheap enough.

We can't even solar panel every roof yet.

But if Cost wasn't an issue................Sur e great idea lol

[240 is Back]

It all comes down to costs.
Cost of panels that are strong enough to adequately resist wear that need to cover millions of miles of roads.
Cost to maintain them.
Cost to install them.
Right now we don't have the technology to do it cheap enough.
We can't even solar panel every roof yet.
But if Cost wasn't an issue................Sur e great idea lol

in that case, it's a great idea.  Because costs go down over time.  In 1950, what would it have cost for a camera, a phone, a flashlight, a calorie counter, a supercomputer with the library of congress on speed dial, and the ability to drunk text your ex at 3am?  Tens of millions of dollars.  Today, an iphone costs $168 in parts.

[OzmO]

in that case, it's a great idea.  Because costs go down over time.  In 1950, what would it have cost for a camera, a phone, a flashlight, a calorie counter, a supercomputer with the library of congress on speed dial, and the ability to drunk text your ex at 3am?  Tens of millions of dollars.  Today, an iphone costs $168 in parts.

Agreed, when the time comes that a section of solar panel roads are comparable to asphalt......

[240 is Back]

Agreed, when the time comes that a section of solar panel roads are comparable to asphalt......

No.  Only when we reach the time when a section of solar panel is cheaper than fighting a war to protect finding, drilling, collecting, purifying, and shipping oil from the other side of the planet.

The minute some college kid invents something for the front yard that converts a ten-square-foot solar panel into enough electricity for a household, voila, everything changes.

[OzmO]

No.  Only when we reach the time when a section of solar panel is cheaper than fighting a war to protect finding, drilling, collecting, purifying, and shipping oil from the other side of the planet.

The minute some college kid invents something for the front yard that converts a ten-square-foot solar panel into enough electricity for a household, voila, everything changes.

If and when.   Until then we won't see it because it's not viable or cost effective. 

Nice Liber-ish on the whole fighting a war thing lol

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/solar-roads-could-power-entire-country

Does this have to be left vs right?   Or could it just be "Wow, our country could save a TON of $ with this?"
Is it a liberal wussy position to want to find new forms of energy?  Or do repubs like this idea too?

Sorry but its not viable because it would seriously raise the overall temperature of an area

[240 is Back]

If and when.   Until then we won't see it because it's not viable or cost effective.  

Nice Liber-ish on the whole fighting a war thing lol

hey, it's just a matter of WHEN, not if.   At some point, some kid will invent a 10x10 ft solar panel that you can plug your house circuit into, that will take the electric company out of the loop.  It'll happen eventually.

and yes, we fight wars to keep the oil flowing.  anyone denying that, well, you're an idiot.  RUDY admitted it in 2008, remember?   Mccain did too, also in 2008.   I do miss the idiots on getbig denying iraq had anything to do with oil, or its sale staying in USD$.  They used to be so loud.

[syntaxmachine]

The advent of horizontal drilling and fracking has made the US the largest producer of oil+gas on the earth this year (topping Russia) and is slated to make it the largest oil producer (topping Saudi Arabia) within a year. This ought to drive down oil prices and increase the US's geopolitical clout, two things which I think reduce incentives for the US to pursue alternative energy.

So it might be a while yet before we see a US powered primarily by alternative energy sources.

[Roger Bacon]

http://www.iflscience.com/technology/solar-roads-could-power-entire-country

Does this have to be left vs right?   Or could it just be "Wow, our country could save a TON of $ with this?"
Is it a liberal wussy position to want to find new forms of energy?  Or do repubs like this idea too?

I assume that whether or not it's a good idea, Liberals will try to force it on us through high taxes and tons of regulations?

If it really is a great, cost effective idea it will happen without dirty politicians involvement.

[24KT]

I assume that whether or not it's a good idea, Liberals will try to force it on us through high taxes and tons of regulations?

If it really is a great, cost effective idea it will happen without dirty politicians involvement.

It's a go! They've reached their goal, infact exceeded their goal by 25% with 7 days still left in the campaign.

Close to $1.25 million in a matter of days through crowd funding with $5, $10 & $50 donations

http://elitedaily.com/news/technology/need-convincing-solar-roadways-worth-funding-video-will-help/604220/

[Irongrip400]

Sorry but its not viable because it would seriously raise the overall temperature of an area

Seriously? More than black pavement, with asphalt binder in it?

[240 is Back]

If you watch this video, you really might be sold.  They've already built it.

[OzmO]

If you watch this video, you really might be sold.  They've already built it.

What are the costs?   That's all that matters.  Otherwise you'll fall into the CT pit. 

[240 is Back]

What are the costs?   That's all that matters.  Otherwise you'll fall into the CT pit.  

woah woah woah, a CTer?   A conspiracy would say they don't work, they don't generate power.  That's not the case.  They do, it's just a matter of being cost-effective.

Let's be clear there, first.  They've developed 2 projects.  We know the hex power things work.  So let's not go waving around a "CTer" flag.   Now it's just a matter of these things costing an assload of $, and not being worth it for another few decades.

HOWEVER, it is definitely a conversation worth having.  What if the govt started opening this up?   Allow private companies to "adopt" small sections of cities.  Allow people to INVEST using a common set of standards.  Some fwd-thinking cities would try it too.  I'm pretty sure SanFran would have these roads decades before Montana adopts them, which is fine.  But even if only 10% of the USA adopted them, that could deliver 30% of the power the USA needs.  (Are we ever in another mid-east war if that is the case?)

Obviously, nobody is saying "this firm will solve all US energy needs in a month!"
However, saying "let's look at growing this technology, because it just might help bring US power independence in the coming decades".

And this is DEFINITELY not a liberal/conservative thing.  If ANYTHING, I would guess conservatives would definitely support a technology that allows us to stop borrowing $, to be the world's police, when we have the potential to boost employment and US infrastructure, mnfg, and industry, all at the same time.  And it's not a CT thing, dude... it's just a cost thing.  And all tech costs decline over time as newer, better things arrive.  Plus, you exchange advertising for taking care of the costs - I bet McD or microsoft would pay for 100% of the infrastructure if an overhead view of it from space could carry their logo.  BOOM. Pay for it right there.  Those on the ground woudln't be able to make out the colors, but from space you get to see Golden Arches lol.  Permanent advertising on all google maps of NYC for ever?  I bet companies would be in a bidding war for who could pay for it and then pick up a nice chunk of Iowa at the same time.

And judging from the viral manner in which this video is taking off, I'm guessing there's a lot of national interest in this.  I suppose we'll wait until all of Europe is energy dependent from using these roads, then we'll get around to trying it LOL...

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Seriously? More than black pavement, with asphalt binder in it?

The current technology right now.....yes.  Solar roadways are the future as with wind power but it needs to be researched and developed like anything else....it'll be another 30 years before every road has solar roads

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

hey, it's just a matter of WHEN, not if.   At some point, some kid will invent a 10x10 ft solar panel that you can plug your house circuit into, that will take the electric company out of the loop.  It'll happen eventually.

and yes, we fight wars to keep the oil flowing.  anyone denying that, well, you're an idiot.  RUDY admitted it in 2008, remember?   Mccain did too, also in 2008.   I do miss the idiots on getbig denying iraq had anything to do with oil, or its sale staying in USD$.  They used to be so loud.

That's actually been around for over a decade....the reason you don't know about it is because there's a little thing called competition and squashing people out by paying off politicans to pass regulations

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

It all comes down to costs.

Cost of panels that are strong enough to adequately resist wear that need to cover millions of miles of roads. - The only thing that's trus

Cost to maintain them. - Maintaining solar panels involve Windex and a cloth once a month

Cost to install them. - Easy to install

Right now we don't have the technology to do it cheap enough. - Yes we do

We can't even solar panel every roof yet. - yes we can...politicans however have been paid off to put up every roadblock

But if Cost wasn't an issue................Sur e great idea lol

[headhuntersix]

woah woah woah, a CTer?   A conspiracy would say they don't work, they don't generate power.  That's not the case.  They do, it's just a matter of being cost-effective.

Let's be clear there, first.  They've developed 2 projects.  We know the hex power things work.  So let's not go waving around a "CTer" flag.   Now it's just a matter of these things costing an assload of $, and not being worth it for another few decades.

HOWEVER, it is definitely a conversation worth having.  What if the govt started opening this up?   Allow private companies to "adopt" small sections of cities.  Allow people to INVEST using a common set of standards.  Some fwd-thinking cities would try it too.  I'm pretty sure SanFran would have these roads decades before Montana adopts them, which is fine.  But even if only 10% of the USA adopted them, that could deliver 30% of the power the USA needs.  (Are we ever in another mid-east war if that is the case?)

Obviously, nobody is saying "this firm will solve all US energy needs in a month!"
However, saying "let's look at growing this technology, because it just might help bring US power independence in the coming decades".

And this is DEFINITELY not a liberal/conservative thing.  If ANYTHING, I would guess conservatives would definitely support a technology that allows us to stop borrowing $, to be the world's police, when we have the potential to boost employment and US infrastructure, mnfg, and industry, all at the same time.  And it's not a CT thing, dude... it's just a cost thing.  And all tech costs decline over time as newer, better things arrive.  Plus, you exchange advertising for taking care of the costs - I bet McD or microsoft would pay for 100% of the infrastructure if an overhead view of it from space could carry their logo.  BOOM. Pay for it right there.  Those on the ground woudln't be able to make out the colors, but from space you get to see Golden Arches lol.  Permanent advertising on all google maps of NYC for ever?  I bet companies would be in a bidding war for who could pay for it and then pick up a nice chunk of Iowa at the same time.

And judging from the viral manner in which this video is taking off, I'm guessing there's a lot of national interest in this.  I suppose we'll wait until all of Europe is energy dependent from using these roads, then we'll get around to trying it LOL...

They wouldn't work everywhere but you could develop them in states that do. As far as Europe....u need actual sunshine I suspect for these to work.

[OzmO]

We are talking about paving the roads with them, which also means maintaining those roads.