The world’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.
— Energy Reporters
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.
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.
According to Energy Reporters, 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."
8 Comments
It's called development. The first product put out in the real world is never perfect.
Its called total stupidity actually. Did they forget that solar panels are not strong enough to carry heavy vehicles?
Anybody who has stood on a plane of glass could have told the French that.
Idiots!!
Only good for bike/pedestrian paths....I knew this was the end result...but now the company knows it too, at their expense and reputation...
Solar panels should have been mounted over road, to provide shade, or into walls, as sound barriers to neighborhoods...I hope we can put then down to rest once and for all!
I remember when the "Solar Freakin' Roadways!" meme swept the internet about 5 years ago, and thinking that exactly this would happen.
Well now it's happened.
you should interview these guys, they're going slow, but looks more thought out, unless you just want to mock somebody for kicks....
http://www.solarroadways.com/Product/Features
Perhaps they should make solar sidewalks instead.
"the company knows it too, at their expense and reputation" ah, the government green machine will laugh it off just like the rest of the enviromarxists and continue robbing the taxpayers for projects that have no proof of producing what they promise
Come on it's a bloody glass highway after all!
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.