Quote:
Originally Posted by aturnis
Not sure I understand this mind set. How is placing solar on roofs better?
It's not. It's inefficient.
Using this system we simultaneously upgrade our deteriorating road network, our puny communications infrastructure, and most of all, or antiquated, not sure how the hell it still works, inefficient power grid.
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Its a hell of a lot better because its cheaper and more likely to be useful to the electrical grid by being closer to the infrastructure, more accessible by the infrastructure, and closer to the electrical need. If the goal is solar power, then the path is solar panels on roofs and solar farms in the desert.
There is really no good reason at all for solar roads other than "it sounds cool". Its not going to be a significant enough upgrade over the asphalt roads, assuming its even an upgrade at all, to justify the ridiculous cost. I also really doubt the durability of these glass panels. Asphalt roads are pretty durable, and they take quite a beating from traffic and weather. Those silly glass panels would probably get torn up far quicker.
edit: I also object to the silly idea of lighting up the roads. If we did have solar roads, they should not be lit up at all, they should only be gathering energy for our power needs, thats it. I would still want to use reflective paint and signs. Lighting up the road for the road lines is a big waste of electricity and we already have problems with light pollution at night anyway.