Seriously. This is genius.

Radical Edward · #1 01-20-2011, 02:05 AM

http://www.disinfo.com/2011/01/solar...er-of-america/

I'm pretty amazed by it. Any thoughts?

Relic · #2 01-20-2011, 05:01 AM

It is neat. There have been lots of great ideas though, never put into practice because too many people are making too much money with the way things are done right now, unfortunately.

Jimbob Jones · #3 01-20-2011, 05:12 AM

If this hasn't gone anywhere by the time I've finished my degree, I seriously might persue it; it's got a lot of potential.

The future man! Roads made of glass that light up and charge your electric car!

hrodbert696 · #4 01-20-2011, 05:43 AM

Should I be asking why the site is called "DISinformation?"

Sounds like a cool idea if it's real, but I suspect it's in the same category as the scientist proving ESP is real in the banner at the top. Also wondering what happens when you drive a snowplow over it -- can't just wait for a 10" snowfall to melt away.

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 01-20-2011, 05:48 AM

Nice concept, sadly I think that's as far as it'll go (well, at least in the forseable future).

ehque · #6 01-20-2011, 06:16 AM

With so much land available to cover with (fragile) solar tech, why choose roads, which take a beating every day?

()smoke() · #7 01-20-2011, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

With so much land available to cover with (fragile) solar tech, why choose roads, which take a beating every day?

because covering additional land is damaging to the existing land

this is a fantastic idea, and has been featured on CNN.com

bassrique · #8 01-20-2011, 06:34 AM

Go to one of the several solar panel pricing sites out there and see what it would cost to outfit *your home.

Now tell me how practical this idea is.

*That cost, while sky high, is much lower than it should be because of government subsidies [which are not free].

DaveDeVille · #9 01-20-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

It is neat.
There have been lots of great ideas though, never put into practice because too many people
are making too much money with the way things are done right now, unfortunately.

... this .

i_got_a_mohawk · #10 01-20-2011, 06:52 AM

Photovoltaics are coming down in price, especially with the likes of organic and graphene based cells.

Organic cells are especially useful because you can basically just print them!

Either way, over here in the UK, or at least in Scotland, I doubt we'd get much in the way of power from them!

L-A · #11 01-20-2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Photovoltaics are coming down in price, especially with the likes of organic and graphene based cells.

Organic cells are especially useful because you can basically just print them!

Either way, over here in the UK, or at least in Scotland, I doubt we'd get much in the way of power from them!

Same here, most roads are under a twin layer of ice and snow right now.

It's still a great idea, though. Especially considering that continental dry regions have more sun than hydroelectric potential.

hover · #12 01-20-2011, 07:04 AM

the price isn't coming down to the taxpayer...hell, in MA alone, there is a company that makes solar panels that is pulling up shop and going to China 10 MONTHS after getting 60 MILLION in subsities from the Government, and prolly won't pay even a fraction of that back.

I hope they burn in hell personally.

In short, YAY for the tech, BOOO to the jerkoffs who cut and run from US production after taking millions in taxpayer's money...I'm looking at YOU , Evergreen.

Kwesi · #13 01-20-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

It is neat. There have been lots of great ideas though, never put into practice because too many people are making too much money with the way things are done right now, unfortunately.

Completely agreed, though I think it's more along the lines of amazing rather than neat, lol.

Steve · #14 01-20-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Completely agreed, though I think it's more along the lines of amazing rather than neat, lol.

Yep. "American ingenuity". We still got, we just can't sell it.
Too much profit in the status quo.

MakiSupaStar · #15 01-20-2011, 09:21 AM

Love it. Let's get moving on it.

Jimbob Jones · #16 01-20-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Let's get moving on it.

HA AHA HA AHAHAHA AHahahahaha...haha...ha...heh......ahem.

()smoke() · #17 01-20-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob Jones

If this hasn't gone anywhere by the time I've finished my degree, I seriously might persue it; it's got a lot of potential.

The future man! Roads made of glass that light up and charge your electric car!

hey--what degree are you pursuing? i have a similar idea to this, different in construction and intent, wondering if you have some interest in talking

aborgman · #18 01-20-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Photovoltaics are coming down in price, especially with the likes of organic and graphene based cells.

Organic cells are especially useful because you can basically just print them!

Costs are coming down pretty drastically on thin film solar cells.

See the Dow Powerhouse shingle for another interesting idea:

http://www.dowsolar.com/index.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Either way, over here in the UK, or at least in Scotland, I doubt we'd get much in the way of power from them!

You'd be surprised how much power you can get even in not especially sunny climates.

Jimbob Jones · #19 01-20-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

hey--what degree are you pursuing? i have a similar idea to this, different in construction and intent, wondering if you have some interest in talking

PM sent.

Mr. Pickles · #20 01-20-2011, 10:02 AM

I could forsee the american southwest as the urban hub
of our solar empire