Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
15
Comments
World's first Solar roads built in France |
|---|
|
Hi there! Today's article is about the world's first solar roads set up in France. France in December 2016 launched the world's first "solar highway", a road paved with solar panels which provides enough energy to power the street lights of the Normandy, a small town of Tourouvre. The one-kilometer "Wattway" is covered with 2,800 square meters of resin coated solar panels, which is connected to a nearby Power grid. "This new use of solar energy takes advantage of large swathes of road infrastructure already in use... to produce electricity without taking up new real estate? Environment Minister Segolene Royal said. An average of 2,000 vehicles use the road in Tourouvre every day, testing the resistance of the boards for the project carried out by French firm Colas. Colas says that in principle France could become independent of fossil fuels by just covering a fourth of its million kilometers of streets with solar panels. The idea, which is also under exploration in other countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and the United States, is that roadways are occupied by vehicles just around 20 percent of the time, providing vast expanses to utilize the sun?s rays. Skeptics are waiting to see whether the panels are tough enough to withstand the ravages of time and climate, and in addition the beating they will take from huge trucks. One drawback of the idea is that solar panels work the best when angled towards the sun, as on inclined rooftops, than they are laid flat on the streets. The economic viability of this idea is far from being resolved. Every kilowatt-peak - the unit of measure for solar energy- produced by Wattway costs 17 euros, compared with 1.30 euros for a major rooftop establishment. Please share your views :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous : 497 Quakes Hit Turkey in Three...
15 Comments
Absolutely! @ Heonjun Park
Posted 01-03-2017 02:09
oh yeah i heard about this. The technological advance in this industry is really steering us to a whole new direction! I've also read that transparent solar cells were invented and could be used to replace ordinary windows, though the efficiency would not be enough to produce benefit. Let's wait and see where it brings us :D
Posted 28-02-2017 08:31
Same here! @Xilola
Posted 26-02-2017 23:35
It looks great! I hope that the initiative turns out as a success!!!
Posted 25-02-2017 16:43
Welcome! @Rohan
Posted 18-02-2017 13:32
This is a good beginning. I hope this finds commercial success & is introduced all over the world. Thanks Nilanjan.
Posted 16-02-2017 20:55
Thank you for your views Minjoo!
Posted 15-02-2017 23:31
I agree Amin, Indian too faces a similar problem. It would be great if Bangladesh could implement it!
Posted 15-02-2017 23:30
Thanks for sharing, Nilanjan! Those solar roads seem very revolutionary! I wonder how much solar energy those roads can provide. And I am also interested whether those roads can be safe from heavy trucks and vehicles. Have a great day :)
Posted 15-02-2017 15:55
big step indeed Adaora.But the question is would it stand climate change?
Posted 15-02-2017 01:52
This is undoubtedly a revolutionary project. This type of great inventions only can take place if the government and administrations remain fresh and honest. Otherwise no advancement cant happen due to their dishonesty and greed. That's why countries like Bangladesh can not implement these type of ideas. But I'll try my level best to reveal it to the authority concerned.
Posted 14-02-2017 16:53
Absolutely! @Arushi Madan
Posted 14-02-2017 01:35
I agree Adaora! I hope this idea is feasible on a long term basis and thus can be implemented in other countries too..
Posted 14-02-2017 01:35
From picture itself, it looks amazing and revolutionary. Hopefully it will be a great success and will set an example for other countries.
Posted 13-02-2017 20:26
This is a big step into the future. Hopefully, it will be a success and other countries will follow suit.
Posted 13-02-2017 07:25