More from NPR about the project:
The crystalline silicon solar cells are encased in two layers of tempered safety glass, mounted in a concrete housing.
The equipment is part of pre-built concrete slabs that SolaRoad says have been refined in years of testing. The company says it’s been a challenge to produce energy-producing slabs that are both durable and rideable by thousands of cyclists a day.
“It has to be translucent for sunlight and repel dirt as much as possible,” the company says. “At the same time, the top layer must be skid resistant and strong enough in order to realize a safe road surface.”
Research group TNO and the province of North Holland collaborated on SolaRoad with most of the $3.7 million cost reportedly being paid by the local government.
Something similar but much more elaborate is also underway in the U.S.
Solar Roadways of Idaho received startup funds from the Federal Highway Administration to build a proof-of-concept prototype solar roadway that generates electricity, heats the surface to keep roadways clear of snow and ice, and is equipped with LED lights. The 12-by-36-foot prototype led to a second contract to build a prototype parking lot.
Solar Roadways continues to advance the technology as it recently raised $2.2 million through Indiegogo crowdfunding to begin production of roadway solar panels. It has parking lot and sidewalk orders from its hometown of Sandpoint, Idaho, according to Motortrend.com.
So it seems only a matter of time before our roadways will be generating electricity via sonar panels we drive, ride and walk on, and perhaps lighting the way as well.
Article Appeared @http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/outposts/post/solar-bike-path-tested-netherlands/