SBIR-STTR Award

Solar Roadways Incorporated envisions replacing current asphalt surfaces with modular Solar Road Panels: structurally-engineered solar panels that can be driven upon. The roadway will generate electricity, become our nation's power grid, make all-electric vehicles practical, and transport rainwater to desired locations. Collecting solar energy for just four hours/day would produce three times more electricity than our nation uses and allow the road to pay for itself. This proposal will show that this project in not only technically feasible, but cost effective. As a first step in developing a solar roadway, Solar Roadways Incorporated proposes to develop Solar Road Panels and install them in a parking lot as both a demonstration project and a sellable product. The materials to create a solar parking lot that can withstand the stresses of slow-moving car traffic are already available, and companies including Wal-Mart have expressed a commercial interest in purchasing our product.

As stated in the solicitation, the pavement infrastructure in the US covers a large surface area and requires intensive energy and natural resources. In addition, the surface of the pavement is typically impermeable, causing negative consequences. Vehicles that travel over these pavements are also resource intensive. Solar Roadways Incorporated envisions replacing current asphalt surfaces with modular Solar Road Panels: structurally-engineered solar panels that can be driven upon. The roadway will generate electricity, become our nation’s power grid, and make all-electric vehicles practical. Collecting solar energy for just four hours/day would produce three times more electricity than our nation uses and allow the road to pay for itself. This proposal will show that this project is not only technically feasible, but cost effective. As a first step in developing a solar roadway, Solar Roadways Incorporated proposes to develop Solar Road Panels and install them in a parking lot as both a demonstration project and a sellable product. The materials to create a solar parking lot that can withstand the stresses of slow-moving car traffic are already available.