I've been reading about this for years.

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I've been reading about this for years. Heck, I even had a argument with a guy here on the Plus (years ago) who claimed this was never going to happen. And now it's happening.

Personally, I think they should have started with sidewalks and driveways, maybe the occasional parking garage, but what the check, 200 miles of interstate isn't a bad beginning, either.

Yep, John Poteet and I went back and forth on this: https://plus.google.com/+Earththeoperatorsmanual/posts/Sq7TpCNmJPE

But, a test run said they're surprisingly productive: https://plus.google.com/+BetsyMcCall/posts/hafBdapQrfB
http://www.gamengadgets.com/solar-panels-will-be-carpeted-on-u-s-missouri-route-66/

Comments

Nick McIntosh said…
I remember reading about this company years ago. I'm glad they finally got some backing.
June 30, 2016 at 4:48 PM
Ben “The Blenster” Hibben said…
This seems like such a bad idea; it'd be far more efficient (in terms of cost and power) to just put sun-tracking panels up in the medians.

I worry this will fail badly and be used as an example of why it's "not feasible" to do solar.
June 30, 2016 at 5:33 PM
Bodhipaksa said…
It sounds like a very sensible implementation. The 200 miles of interstate is speculative, and all they're starting with is paving a few rest stops. That'll be a good, low-stakes test, close to buildings that can use the power, with no fast traffic, and a minimum of disruption if repaving turns out to be necessary.
June 30, 2016 at 5:45 PM
David Simmons said…
What is to stop a thief from taking a section of roadway and reselling it? They already steal cooper wire whenever someone is not looking.
June 30, 2016 at 5:58 PM
Bodhipaksa said…
You mean what would stop thieves stealing these bricks apart from the vehicles driving at 75mph on top of them, David Simmons? ;)
June 30, 2016 at 6:02 PM
Alexander S. Kunz said…
At least they're not destroying previously undeveloped habitat with this, and reutilize already developed areas insted. Good! That said, we have a shit ton of rooftops everywhere that should be utilized as well (instead of building giant bird grills in the desert, aka the travesty at Ivanpah).
June 30, 2016 at 6:18 PM
Jason ON said…
I agree, especially in places like the American southwest that boasts 350+ days of sunshine a year, public buildings, especially schools and military installations, as well as parking lots. That is covered parking/sun shields in parking lots.
June 30, 2016 at 7:10 PM
Lorne Thomas said…
Have fun with the epic cost of maintenance, and short life span of the cells. Oh, and is that contract out for bid, and who is bidding on it?
June 30, 2016 at 7:19 PM
Nick McIntosh said…
It amazes me when people pan a new technology, for the sake of panning it. The whole point of this project is to give it a real world test to, you know, test its durability and longevity and the likelihood of theft. It's not like they're digging up the entire stretch of I70.
July 1, 2016 at 6:39 AM
Kenneth Thompson said…
Original article is from one year ago; might be good fit an update on the progress of the project.
July 1, 2016 at 9:50 AM
Nick McIntosh said…
That opinion article speaks more to terrible management of federal funding than to a fault in solar technology.

But nice try.
July 1, 2016 at 1:53 PM
Lorne Thomas said…
Your lack of at least a high school level reading comprehension should prevent you from voting Nick McIntosh but we are all about equality and protecting the rights of others, even the special ones like you. Now be a good boy and run along and find a window to lick.
July 1, 2016 at 9:39 PM
Nick McIntosh said…
So quick to jump to personal insults. That tells me there's nothing substantive to your argument on this thread. Go do your research and come back prepared to debate properly.
July 2, 2016 at 7:01 AM
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