2024-11-21T13:32:09-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150147974/first-solar-road-fails-to-live-up-to-expectations Alexander Walter 2019-07-24T15:17:00-04:00 >2019-12-23T20:58:12-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/e8/e81985ff3e6515fca5d0977be1e6fe61.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>The world&rsquo;s first solar road in Normandy, northern France, which opened in 2016, has failed to meet expectations. The 2.8 square km of solar panels is in part damaged beyond repair and the 1km road did not produce the power the manufacturer Wattway had promised. Panels were worn out by traffic and joints between the panels were shattered.</p></em><br /><br /><p>After less than three years in operation, the high-profile 1-kilometer trial stretch of the world's first photovoltaic road in northern France has failed to meet expectations. <br></p> <p>Instead of delivering the promised 790kWh per day, the first year's actual daily power output was only half that amount, with a total of 149,459 kWh during that year. Only 37,900kWh were generated since the beginning of this year.<br></p> <p>According to <em>Energy Reporters</em>, the project's manufacturer, Wattway, which also installed dozens of other, smaller solar roads, admitted that "our system is not mature for inter-urban traffic."<br></p>