Solar Roads?

[perfor8]

Somebody thought that because there aren't solar panels on the roads currently it must be a new idea. It's not a new idea; it's an old idea that clear thinkers reject quickly.

Literally every land-based sunlit place in the U.S.A. is better suited for solar panels than roadways. Building a superstructure awning OVER all the roads to carry the panels would be a better idea. Replacing your lawn with panels would be a better idea because it doesn't have the traffic complications and you could cease burning fossil fuels to mow.

You can't name a place that's a worse idea than the roadways - that's how bad the idea is. The Federal Government is probably excited and spending my tax money for grants to study the concept and determine feasibility - that's how bad the idea is.

 

[perfor8]

For the record, I'm not anti-solar energy. I have a $30,000 grid-tied system powering my primary residence. I don't drive on it.

 

[TerryMiller]

Somebody thought that because they're aren't solar panels on the roads currently it must be a new idea. It's not a new idea; it's an old idea that clear thinkers reject quickly.

Literally every land-based sunlit place in the U.S.A. is better suited for solar panels than roadways. Building a superstructure awning OVER all the roads to carry the panels would be a better idea. Replacing your lawn with panels would be a better idea because it doesn't have the traffic complications and you could cease burning fossil fuels to mow.

You can't name a place that's a worse idea than the roadways - that's how bad the idea is. The Federal Government is probably excited and spending my tax money for grants to study the concept and determine feasibility - that's how bad the idea is.

Just came back from working in Indiana surveying roads. Solar panels wouldn't work on a lot of roads up there. There are a bunch of roads that are so tree-lined that they wouldn't produce much electricity. Not that solar produces that much anyway.

 

[dennishoddy]

New Mexico has huge solar farms. Some covering many acres. The panels rotate on their axis to follow the sun during the day. Almost every small community has one and a lot of folks live off grid in that state. I mean a lot. You'll see camper or a small home out in the high country deserts with an outhouse about 50 yards out back and some 10' X 10' or larger solar panels out front. I have to assume they have batteries and inverters in the house/camper.

 

[TerryMiller]

New Mexico has huge solar farms. Some covering many acres. The panels rotate on their axis to follow the sun during the day. Almost every small community has one and a lot of folks live off grid in that state. I mean a lot. You'll see camper or a small home out in the high country deserts with an outhouse about 50 yards out back and some 10' X 10' or larger solar panels out front. I have to assume they have batteries and inverters in the house/camper.

The occupant probably plays a banjo.

Beware....