Solar Powered Roads-Soon to be a Reality?

If you haven't heard of the company Solar Roadways http://www.solarroadways.com/index.html yet, be prepared, you will.

The company was just awarded a $100,000 contract by the U.S. Department of Transportation to design and build solar panels that can be driven on and used in parking lots and freeways.

According to their website:

“The Solar Roadways will collect solar energy to power businesses and homes via structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon, to be placed in parking lots and roadways in lieu of petroleum-based asphalt surfaces. The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded LEDs which "paint" the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving, as well as to give up to the minute instructions (via the road) to drivers (i.e. "detour ahead"). The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to "slow down". There will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. This feature packed system will become an intelligent highway that will double as a secure, intelligent, decentralized, self-healing power grid which will enable a gradual weaning from fossil fuels.Replacing asphalt roads and parking lots with solar roadway panels will be a major step toward halting climate change. Fully electric vehicles will be able to recharge along the roadway and in parking lots, finally making electric cars practical for long trips. It is estimated that it will take roughly five billion (a stimulus package in itself) 12' by 12' Solar Road Panels to cover the asphalt surfaces in the U.S. alone, allowing us to produce three times more power than we've ever used as a nation - almost enough to power the entire world.”

Depending on the longevity of the panels, their composition and how they would effect the eco-system as they degrade over time, they could be a great solution to the worlds energy needs. This project certainly bears watching.

Cheap fuel made from solar power

What would you say if someone told you you could fill your car with bio fuel for the same price as gas and not negatively affect the enviroment?

The clever people at Joule Biotechnologies http://www.joulebio.com/ have developed a system that uses microorganisms to convert sunlight into bio fuel.

This process is unique as it doesn't require acres of farmland (corn is commonly used in the creation of ethanol) and the Joule Biotechnologies system is actually competative with current gas prices.

Finally an actual solution for the global energy crisis.

Solar Solutions 1

One of the problems with solar energy is the difficulty in storing excess energy for a rainy or cloudy day.

Recently researchers from Ceramatec released information about a new ceramic disk shaped batery that when fully developed will store enough energy to power a house for a full day.

With the ability to efficiently store solar power the technology will be more appealing to those who live in areas with intermittent sunshine as well as open the door to portable options for larger electronic items such as power tools and laptops.

Is the Economy Killing Oregon's Solar Solutions?

With high gas prices pushing public opinion towards electric, solar and other energy options, the future of alternative energy seemed so hopeful, but then the economy went down the tubes. Will it take solar energy solutions with it?

SpectraWatt Inc. a solar cell manufacturer based in Hillsboro, Oregon recently announced that due to a lack of funds they are suspending construction indefinitely.

However, one has to wonder if this is going to mean bad news or good news for homeowners who are looking for low cost solar panels to install while they can still take advantage of this years federal tax break.

This tax break is for solar electric systems and it practically tripled in January for a typical homeowner. There is also a new solar loan program that homeowners can take advantage of that is sponsored by Portland-based Umpqua Bank and the Energy Trust of Oregon, the program is called GreenStreet Lending.

Tax breaks and a lending program combined with impending high gas prices will likely spur interest in alternative energy but what level of competition is required to keep prices competitive?

SpectraWatt may have pulled out, but other solar based companies such as SolarWorld and Sanyo are here and still going strong. Perhaps prices of solar panels will continue to fall giving North westerners a chance to capture the sun for a price that makes our appalling lack of sun, irrelevant.


What do you think?

Do you think SpectraWatt's inability to maintain a presence in Oregon will affect consumers?

Will lack of competition raise the price of solar energy solutions for consumers?

Sempra Generation completes North America's largest 'thin film' solar power installation

A recent press release from the soar energy company Sempra Generation states that the company's first solar energy project has been completed and will power approximately 6,400 homes.

The solar panels are unique as according to the press release they "Unlike some solar power projects, El Dorado Energy�s solar power plant will not use water or other liquids in the power-generation process. This water conservation feature makes the project especially suitable to the arid U.S. Southwest. As with other solar projects, the new Sempra Generation facility will generate electricity during the day when customer demand peaks."

To read the full press release go to:

http://public.sempra.com/newsreleases/viewpr.cfm?PR_ID=2329&Co_Short_Nm=SE

I'm looking forward to reading more about the other applications for this technology such as utilizing the new type of panels for portable devices, homeowners or apartment dwellers.

I-5 Solar Panels

I was driving home from the Salem Oregon area when I noticed a strange sight along the freeway. Solar panels were set up in a fenced off area along the side of the road and I mean ALOT of solar panels. I Googled the area when I returned home and it turns out that ODOT was the agency responsible for installing the first of what apparently will be 594 solar panels along the interchange of I-5 and I-205

The system stretches the length of about two football fields and is located near Tualatin. The plan is for ODOT to procuring 2 million kilowatt hours per year of renewable electricity on property owned by the agency.

This is ODOT's way of contributing to the state mandate of securing all of its electricity from renewable resources by 2010 and I say power to em!

Solar Energy of the Future

Every day I hear about records being passed and surpassed in regards to solar energy. Europe recently exceeded 30% efficiency for a solar device, which I believe sets a world record, yet we haven't seen a substantial price drop in solar devices. Now, don't get me wrong. I am the first to admit that there are deals on solar devices out there.

(I just bought a Power monkey solar cell phone/ipod charger for the $7.00 price of shipping and handling after a $100 rebate)

However, for anything with enough oomph to power a laptop, you need to spend at least $300 - $900 which is out of the price range of the average working person.

The high prices of solar panels are not only deterring prospective new converts, but are also having the detrimental effect of attracting thieves. Modern criminals have discovered lucrative markets for diverse products such as electronics like cell phones and laptops, metals such as copper, information and now solar panels.

"People are having panels stolen from their roofs in the middle of the night as they sleep" reports New York Times reporter Kate Galbraith in her article Thieves are stealing solar panels and selling them on the internet - September 23, 2008

There are hundreds of options for solar cells today, from solar panels with layers of prisms focusing and intensifying the suns rays to solar nano tubes.
Now we just need to be able to afford them.