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Solar highways: Roads generating power

Renewable resources are optimized by upgrading roads to harvest solar energy.

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Quantumrun Foresight
April 4, 2023

Advancements in photovoltaic cell (PV) technology have made it possible for solar highways to be more efficient and cost-effective. This development means more countries are exploring the possibility of incorporating solar highways into their infrastructure plans. Solar highways have the potential to provide a sustainable source of energy, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, generating electricity from solar highways can help power electric vehicles and reduce the need for traditional gas stations.

Solar highways context

Solar highways are roads made of solar panels covered with layers of sturdy plastic and topped with crushed glass to enable the road to withstand heavy loads. These highways also have wiring embedded in them. As solar roadways technology progressed, it incorporated more advanced features such as LED lights for lane markings, communication with drivers, and more. Additionally, weight sensors were added to detect obstacles on the road or alert homeowners of approaching vehicles. These advancements only increased the attraction and excitement surrounding the concept of solar roadways. However, an attempt in France in 2015 failed due to the resulting panels' high costs and lower efficiency.

The progress since then saw the industry expanding, the costs of solar panels decreasing, and their efficiency increasing. In 2021, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands worked on the Rolling Solar project, with laboratories from these countries aiming to develop different types of photovoltaic cells to discover more cost-effective materials. Additionally, proponents have argued that solar panels have significantly improved. For example, since 2014, the cost of solar PV panels has decreased dramatically by about 70 percent, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). In 2015, FirstSolar made headlines with panels that were 18.2 percent efficient. However, the most advanced prototypes have been able to achieve over 45 percent efficiency in 2021. Additionally, the total solar energy capacity has grown nearly six times compared to 2014.

Disruptive impact of solar highways

The solar industry has also seen a significant increase in jobs, growing by 167 percent since the 2010s, providing more skilled workers capable of managing a solar roadway project and more professionals with the expertise to install solar affordably. According to SEIA, over 255,000 individuals in the US were employed by more than 10,000 solar companies in every state in 2021. The same year, the solar industry also contributed approximately $33 billion USD in private investment to the American economy.

As the renewable energy sector gains more ground and support, the rest of Europe may also begin testing the solar highway concept. Successful efforts would decrease the reliance on fossil fuels and the need to utilize new areas for solar farms, accelerating humanity into a sustainable future. However, many changes would be needed to accommodate solar panels into the current road infrastructure. For example, conventional tires may have to be redesigned to work better on glass. Road repairs would also require skilled engineers rather than unskilled labor. The technology also possesses the potential to accommodate other shifts towards net-zero carbon dioxide emissions: It can significantly facilitate electric vehicles as firms update their designs to charge when parked or driving.

Implications of solar highways

Wider implications of solar highways may include:

A decreased or eliminated need to power road lights from the grid.

Reduced transmission wastage as the energy harvested would not have to be transported long distances to reach cities.

Better performance for electric vehicles, as they would be simultaneously charging while on the road, allowing them to travel greater distances.

Increased employment opportunities as more countries build the infrastructure needed to support solar highways, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT).