Solar Roadways

If you’re less than content with paying Exxon Mobil $4 for a gallon of gas, or giving your local electric utility company $150 a month, then you have a stake in finding alternative energy sources. Solar Roadways could be one of those alternatives.

Here’s the elevator pitch: Build roads with solar panels, not asphalt. Company founders Scott and Julie Brusaw envision a modular paving system of solar panels on roads, driveways (like they have at their home), and parking lots that can withstand trucks weighing up to 250,000 pounds, while simultaneously taking that sweet hot sun action and converting it into energy to power homes and businesses connected via driveways and parking lots. The panels would also be able to heat themselves to stay snow-free. Now, we’ll admit, the odds of this utopian plan taking off look rather slim, but if the early enthusiasm for the project generated is any indication of Solar Roadways’ future, there is indeed reason for optimism. [Support]