SOLAR ROADWAYS

Submitted by: Sanjay Kumar

Roll no. 31607120
 CONTENTS
Introduction
Photovoltaic cell
Solar Roadways
Solar road construction
Working
Features of Solar Roadways
Case study
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conclusion
References
 INTRODUCTION
The solar roadway is a series of structurally engineered Solar
panels that are driven upon.
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by
using photovoltaic's which includes solar panel and LED
signage, that can be driven on.
The idea is to replace all current petroleum based asphalt
roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels that
collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses.
The ultimate goal is to store excess energy in or along-side the
Solar Roadways.
 PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL
Photovoltaic cells are used to convert solar energy directly into
electricity using semiconductors. This is the active type of solar
technology.

Fig 1: Photovoltaic Cell

 SOLAR ROADWAYS
A solar roadway is a road surface that generates electricity by
solar power photovoltaic cells embedded below a tough
transparent surface which provides sufficient traction.

Fig 2: Solar Roadways

 SOLAR ROAD CONSTRUCTION
A solar roadway consist of three layers:
Road surface layer/Glass layer
Electronics layer
Base plate layer

Fig 3: Road surface layer

 ROAD SURFACE LAYER/GLASS
LAYER
Translucent and high-strength, it is rough enough to provide
sufficient traction, yet still passes sunlight through to the solar
collector cells embedded within, along with LEDs and a
heating element.

Fig 4: Road surface layer

ELECTRONIC LAYER
It contains photovoltaic cells which absorbs solar energy. It also
contains a microprocessor board with support circuitry for
sensing loads on the surface and controlling a heating element
with a view to reducing or eliminating snow.

Fig 5: Electronic layer

 BASE PLATE LAYER

While the electronics layer collects energy from the sun, it is

the base plate layer that distributes that power down the line to
all homes and businesses connected to the solar roadway. It
needs to be weatherproof to protect the electronics layer above
it.
Distributes power and signals to and from the panels.
Waterproof for protecting the electronics layer.
 WORKING
Sunlight falls on solar panels which generates electricity.
At the same time, it is transferred to nearby houses and power
station.
LEDs controlled by microprocessors display information on
the surface of road.
Anti icing layer clears the road.
Also senses changes in weight.
 ROAD SURVEY OF INDIA

India has a road network of over 42,45,805 kms as on 2015.

In which National highways comprise 0.05% of India's total
road connectivity.
These highways can produce 450TWh of electricity according
to references when they are surfaced by solar panels.
But India needs up to 991TWh of electricity per annum.
This implies that if 0.1% of total road network of India is
surfaced with Solar Roadway panels, it would illuminate our
nation.
 FEATURES OF SOLAR ROADWAYS

(a) Accident can be

avoided
() The roadways can
protect wildlife and
motorists.
() The load cells in the
solar panels can detect
if something is on the
surface of the panel. It
acts like a weigh
machine.
Fig 6: Obstruction warning system
(b) Illuminated roads

The Solar Roadways will

have LEDs which will
illuminate the lanes. The
LED can be programmed
to show the instructions
such as - SLOW, STOP,
GO, SPEED LIMIT, etc.

Fig 7: Illuminated roads

 (c) Traffic Management Solution

Each solar panel contains a

microprocessor that
monitors and controls the
panel, while
communicating with
neighboring panels and the
vehicle travelling.

Fig 8: Traffic management system

(d) Snow/ICE Management

The roads heat themselves

with their embedded heating
element and melt away all the
snow.

Fig 9: Solar roadways with heating

element [2]
(e) On-the-Go charging:
With induction plating embedded inside these roads, electric
cars can be recharged while in motion on top of these roads.
This would reduce the costs and the time-inconvenience of
waiting at a charging station.

Induction plating Glass panel

Fig 10: On-the-Go charging system

 CASE STUDY

Solar Roadways is a company based in Idaho that is working

to perfect and implement the idea of solar panels embedded
within road surfaces, sidewalks and parking lots.

This company had made two prototypes.

Phase I prototype
Phase II prototype
 Phase I prototype:

The United States Department of Transportation awarded the

company Solar Roadways Incorporated a $100,000 research
contract in 2009. This company prototyped solar road panels
in laboratory.

Fig 11: Assembly of solar panels [2]

Phase II prototype:

After successful completion of the Phase I SBIR contract,

Solar Roadways Inc. announced that the Federal Highway
Administration awarded it a follow-up $750,000 Phase II SBIR
contract to take it to the next step: a solar parking lot.
Following are the pictures taken of the prototype.
A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Fig 12: Future view [2]

 ADVANTAGES

Renewability
Life span
Road illumination
Intelligent highway system
Military and rescue system
Smart always connected roads and vehicles
Smart grid
Traffic assistance
Driver assistance
Oil independence
 DISADVANTAGES

High initial cost

Road surfaces deposits reduces its efficiency (salt, rubber and
dirt)
Seasonal efficiency
High Maintenance cost
Needs a town planning
 CONCLUSION

For roughly the same cost of the current systems (asphalt

roads and fossil fuel burning electricity generation plants), the
Solar Roadways can be implemented.
Solar Roadways will decrease the global warming effect;
provide safer driving condition, less pollution and no more
dependency on foreign oil.
Hence, Solar Roadways is the best solution to meet the
increasing demand of power.
THANK YOU