I don't think you've covered this in any of the tech's recent videos and I think you'll all agree this is the sort of tech that needs a single boost.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-roadways#home
Won't lie that it makes me slightly sad watching games (all be it good games) get twice their asking goals within 24 hours while really important tech ideas like this are only at 25% funded when nearly at the end of their fundraiser.
They look like the roads from the cities of tomorrow expansion in Sim City. This is also not going to catch on quickly in the United states since it would completely change the infrastructure and 1. that would take a long time to do, and 2. government officials won't understand it so they will veto its use.
I think it is fantastic and is heavily needed. paved roadways take up a very large portion of land in first world countries and turning them into an energy source, that requires less maintenance and is tougher than the current infrastructure? Yes please. it may not happen in 10 or even 20 years, but if it does, it will be amazing.
Liquid thorium reactors a better and cheaper than this would be. But just like why no one invests in them no one will invest in this, there's just not enough support for innovation these days it seems. Plus the only people with the money to spend on these large projects seem to be China. Or billionaires.... like the dude who is building the Titanic 2... why?
I also cant see $1million going very far - if you'll pardon the pun.
They can barely maintain bog standard roads as they are at the moment where I am right now, let alone fancy solar panel roads.
A shame.
This simply will not work where I live, if you have a look at our roads after winter they are tore to shit, I can't even call them roads and keep a straight face since dirt roads seem better then some of the paved ones we have after winter.
The problem I see with this isn't just the lack of public support and understanding from politicians in congress but also from feasibility. I like the concept but I have worked with solar panels in laboratories and studied them. Unless our knowledge of the process is enormously enhanced I do not see this being something than can really provide a reliable power source. Not taking into account cooperative weather, shorter days during the winter, and cost per unit there is also the hurdle of efficiency. I would like to see a piece of scientific literature from those two that gives some raw data to look at. Unknown to most people solar cells generate a pretty significant amount of waste. Disposal of cell waste, such as Cadmium and Lead(II) Dioxide, is extremely hazardous to the environment and requires specialized raw materials if you want to achieve efficiency that isn't horrible. The quickest and most practical alternative to pump power into the grid would be the Thorium route. Although as jonnyb23 has mentioned there isn't pressure from the public to get it done.
I imagine it one of the following:
They have heating elements which make plowing unnecessary.