The Road Powered By…The Sun?
With the Autobahn in Germany and the US’s extensive highway system who would have thought that Italy was actually the first country in the world to build motorways? Completed in 1926, the road from Milan to Lake Como, or the A8 was the first true motorway. Well, the Italians are at it again with the advent of the World’s first 100% solar-powered motorway!
What is a solar-powered motorway?
Good question! I did quite a bit of digging to truly understand the concept, and it is quite revolutionary. Focused on a reduced environmental impact for the long-haul for both the ecological system and the human system, the roadway will boast the newest innovations in energy, safety, and construction. This motorway, the Catania-Siracusa, is the first large-scale integration of major infrastructure and distributed power generation. It will feature 80,000 PV panels along the road that will power the lights, tunnel fans, road signs, emergency telephones, and all the services and street furniture. The PV cells are hoisted in 3 artificial tunnels on the road and are estimated to produce 12 million kWh on an annual basis. This will reduce an approximate 31,000 tons of oil and 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. WHOA!
The additional ecological efforts included “the planting of thousands of trees and plants, improving existing tree lines and hedges, and increasing the extension of local woods.”
How far along are they?
The construction portion is complete and is scheduled to open to the public in January 2011. 1/4 of all solar panels were installed and operational at the end of September, and their steady progress has continued. To date they are expected to finish on time. Although the Italians have a little bit of experience in this sector having built out solar panels along the A20, Messina-Palermo motorway, totalling 368 kWp to provide electricity for all of the building located along the 183km motorway. They have also done a similar project near the Alps.
These are quite impressive numbers and efforts made for long-term sustainability through out Italy. Now if only we can learn from their efforts and do the same when our “season of Road Construction” starts up in the US after the winter months.
To learn more about solar-powered roadways, check out the Matter Network’s article.
Where do you think we should build solar-powered roads in the US? Have you heard of the Idaho man who suggests building roads WITH solar panels in place of asphalt? Now that is turning roads into truly productive and usable spaces.
Photo Credits: Reverberi Italy
Comments
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December 6th, 2010
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December 6th, 2010Trackback from : Books – Mr Solar Energy | The Best Green Products
This is a great initiative. Let’s hope this is the future of highways. Not only could highways be powering its own lights and other equipment, but they could also help create electricity for surrounding cities. Solar energy is really set to take off with the technological advancements that have dropped costs.
I agree. If we think about it, it takes an enormous amount of power to light up long stretches of roads and highways and if this demand could be satisfied by solar power, so much energy could be saved.
This isn’t just for roadside lighting though. With the amount of power that this could generate, a decent percentage of homes could be powered.
Oh certainly, but the first priority will probably be the roads. Then of course, any excess can be used to power the surrounding homes as a backup to the primary source.
If this could power or partially power smaller cities, that would be amazing. I would love for it to work out.
Colorado would be a great place to have solar panels because we have so many sunny days per year. Along I-25, especially since many could be hung on the noise barrier walls installed along I-25 many places through Colorado.
Really superb article related to solar energy. Nowadays everyone focusing on solar energy and i think its the best way to have a natural resource. We are already lacking with electricity. And the main advantage of solar energy is that its environment friendly..
It is really a ultimate story on this topic.It is really a intersting theory on it.Most people will be surprised, but Italy was the first country in the world to build motorways.
A fairly simple way to start would be to use solar powered LED street lights… perhaps somewhere down south in Vegas or the like.
Wow, I had no idea that there were countries that had already began implementing this technology. The US will probably be testing something like this soon. I can’t wait, it is going to be incredible.
A fairly simple way to start would be to use solar powered LED street lights… perhaps somewhere down south in Vegas or the like.
I like the idea Tom. Would be a way to get started with out a huge cost.
- Robert
Italy has shown great initiative with this idea.
I’m sure that other countries around the world could learn from Italy’s example. Any innovation that reduces the negative impact on the environment is definitely a positive.
@Luggage Sets , you are right but I often find that bureaucracy often stops alot of innovation from going forward
-Jean
Im honestly surprised they didn’t do it sooner! So much could of been saved so much earlier! I am guessing the proper technology or social movement wasn’t there in the past.
Till then,
Jean
Superb idea to use the natural energy. With such efforts we can save our energy resources and fulfill the need of increasing population. Great sharing with all..
I agree. If we think about it, it takes an enormous amount of power to light up long stretches of roads and highways and if this demand could be satisfied by solar power, so much energy could be saved.
It would be cool if roads could harness the power of both the sun and the cars that pass over them.
@Driveway, I like the second suggestion about also utilizing the cars that are on the highway as a way to also use their energy. If they can figure something out for that, it would be like utilizing energy as efficient as possible!
-Jean
new york needs these type of greeen
I couldn’t agree more. New York really needs to adopt more green policies.
- Robert
I’m sure that this demand could be satisfied by solar power
To use solar panel in place of electric power is best option. I saw in India most of railway station are using same solar panel system…..
Solar power is best source of energy. Spot On! Generally I never read whole articles but the way you wrote this information is simply great and this kept my interest in reading and I enjoyed it. You have got brilliant writing skills.
Excellent Article. I like the idea.
While it’s great to hear about such technological advances, it is frustrating that this technology is not being deployed more widespread. It makes you wonder if there are other reasons behind the slow progress. For example, I’m sure the economy would have serious problems if people stopped relying so heavily on gasoline. There would be a sudden shift in power and money that could have terrible consequences.
If most of high way roads are decorates with solar light it may be best option to save&reduce the electricity.
Nowadays Solar power is becoming so popular and its really great alternate to energy sources.We can save more electricity if we make solar energy our part of life…
Have some one fix calculation as a 100kw bulb consume 1 unit as per 4 hours. So we have decided to use CFL. In same way the better way in solar panel. which thing suit it well??
In my point of view if we have proper knowledge regarding consuming, we can save a lot……..
I hope that the US will one day adopt this idea and use it on our roadways.
- Robert
I am quite excited to see how solar energy and other renewable energy sources develop. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start popping up all over the place. Maybe we’ll all have solar cells on our homes in the not too distant future.
To my understanding this would work by inductance much the same way a transformer sends power from the primary windings to the secondary. What if any would be the long term effects… Thanks…..
The prizes are going skyscraper. So in this situation solar panel is the best option for maintaining….
Really superb article related to solar energy.
Solar energy is really a great alternate of electricity.We can do many task with the help of it.Many countries now adding this free resource to daily life and saving more electricity.Good sharing…
Colorado would be a great place to have solar panels because we have so many sunny days per year
In addition to Wall Street, it looks like the faith business also needs a little more scrutiny. Apart from that, I am always surprised at how gullible people can be when it comes to being sold out divine thetoric..
Most likely not legal in the main flow of traffic, and depending on where you live may not be legal even in the bike lane. best bet is to talk to local law enforcement, they can clear any questions you have right up.
Solar energy is the gift of nature one’s can use without any cost. It’s not only to make lights on roads but you can use in homes also. If your house is well decorated and furnished it will make it much attractive at night time. As well as on roads it helps to avoid pits on the road…..
In my point of view if we have proper
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To use solar panel in place of electric power is best option. I saw in India most of railway station are using same solar panel system…..
Colorado would be a great place to have solar panels because we have so many sunny days per year. Along I-25, especially since many could be hung on the noise barrier walls installed along I-25 many places through Colorado.
In my point of view if we have proper
It seems to be very nice and interesting post.
Thanks for sharing.
It is about time that Solar Energy is going “mainstream”. Using the sun is a beautiful thing for the environment.
Very cool. I have seen some solar panels here in Louisville< ky but i am sure it is not at all to that level. Let's learn something from the italians,
It would be cool if roads could harness the power of both the sun and the cars that pass over them.
In todays world energy is more important to save.Thinking about the roads powered by the sun is making me feel that some goverments are serious about it and they have stepped out the work on saving the energy.
This is a great initiative. Let’s hope this is the future of highways. Not only could highways be powering its own lights and other equipment, but they could also help create electricity for surrounding cities.
This type of thinking can save the energy to great extent.If every country is having such type of plans in their future for the roads then there is no need to spend extra money for lightening the roads.
Solar Power will surely save our Earth!
Especially on African Country where you can produce a lot of energy!