A Solar powered cycle path in the Netherlands is working better than expected.

[Hermes14]

In the Netherlands they tested a cycle path made of solar power panels & they say that it is working better than expected.
A 70m path generates about 3000 kw/h which is enough electricity for a small household.
I wouldn't trust laying it in public areas in South Africa because it will most probably get stolen, but the length of an average driveway in a residential area is 50m.
I am sure you could find a way to install an extra 20m some where.
If this works I might even consider buying an electric powered car.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-first-solar-road-can-power-a-house-2015-7

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

In the Netherlands they tested

Have you ever wondered, who is the they.

The they in SA would definitely break it or steal it if the they put one in. Then the they would be called names for berating the they for breaking or stealing it

 

[gifs]

but the length of an average driveway in a residential area is 50m.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-first-solar-road-can-power-a-house-2015-7

50m for a driveway? That is half a rugby field!

 

[Vegeta]

Glass? People would just break/crack it for fun when they're drunk here.
And those are the panels that are left after our local "entrepreneurs" have done their shopping(supply chain stocking).

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

It apparently worked almost exactly as expected. There is a good series about this in Eevblog.

Here this the last video:
EEVblog #743 - Solar Roadways Test Results: https://youtu.be/6-ZSXB3KDF0

 

[P924]

If you have a roof, it is much easier to just put traditional panels on it...

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

If you have a roof, it is much easier to just put traditional panels on it...

And much more efficient.

 

[Hermes14]

Have you ever wondered, who is the they.

The they in SA would definitely break it or steal it if the they put one in. Then the they would be called names for berating the they for breaking or stealing it

Quite accurate, the South African Road Agency started putting up Solar panels on top of the traffic light.
Within the first few weeks “they” stole them.
You think a burglar can’t get into your house through your burglar proofing?
Think again.
https://video-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/h...=fd5c75ac84b408a4e5b12a416ea6862e&oe=559FA4C6

50m for a driveway? That is half a rugby field!

Sorry 50 m was a rough estimate of my drive way.
I was about 11 meters off, my driveway I just over 39 m.

It apparently worked almost exactly as expected. There is a good series about this in Eevblog.

Here this the last video:
EEVblog #743 - Solar Roadways Test Results: https://youtu.be/6-ZSXB3KDF0

Okay roof panels where the tilt can be adjusted is the better option but how many panels can you fit on your roof? http://www.solarpaneltilt.com/
The panels loos about 0.5% efficiency p.a. http://energyinformative.org/lifespan-solar-panels/

Solar panels is only part of our solution to getting totally off the grid.
I have heard that solar panels don’t charge in cloudy weather.
I we have one or two good weeks of rain we are going to sit with a major problem.
The other big cost in installing solar power is the reservoir or batteries.
There are deep cycle batteries that can last between 20 – 25 years but I haven’t seen a 220 volt battery yet.
Wouldn’t it be more efficient to convert your house to 110 volts?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Quite accurate, the South African Road Agency started putting up Solar panels on top of the traffic light.
Within the first few weeks “they” stole them.
You think a burglar can’t get into your house through your burglar proofing?
Think again.
https://video-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/h...=fd5c75ac84b408a4e5b12a416ea6862e&oe=559FA4C6


Sorry 50 m was a rough estimate of my drive way.
I was about 11 meters off, my driveway I just over 39 m.



Okay roof panels where the tilt can be adjusted is the better option but how many panels can you fit on your roof? http://www.solarpaneltilt.com/
The panels loos about 0.5% efficiency p.a. http://energyinformative.org/lifespan-solar-panels/

Solar panels is only part of our solution to getting totally off the grid.
I have heard that solar panels don’t charge in cloudy weather.
I we have one or two good weeks of rain we are going to sit with a major problem.
The other big cost in installing solar power is the reservoir or batteries.
There are deep cycle batteries that can last between 20 – 25 years but I haven’t seen a 220 volt battery yet.
Wouldn’t it be more efficient to convert your house to 110 volts?

The simple truth is that any kind of solar panel that has to allow any kind of traffic on it is not financially sustainable. The cost vs return on these kinds of panels doesn't make sense. There are tens of thousands of other more suitable places to put solar panels, putting them on roads is just not a good idea.

 

[Hermes14]

DrJohnZoidberg now that I actually sit down and think about it, you are right
The glass would have to be scratch resistant & would have to be hard enough to carry the weight of what ever is going to ride over it & that would drastically increase the cost.

 

[richjdavies]

The glass would have to be scratch resistant & would have to be hard enough to carry the weight of what ever is going to ride over it & that would drastically increase the cost.

Not to mention the thing driving over it blocks out the sun... Put them on the empty field next to the road. Much easier.