‘SolaRoad’ solar panel bike path opens in the Netherlands
by Toby Sterling, The Associated Press
SolaRoad bike path a 70-metre test; will generate enough energy each year to power one house in the Netherlands
KROMMENIE, Netherlands—A project dubbed “SolaRoad” gets underway in the Netherlands this week, testing roadways as a potential canvas to collect solar energy.
Fittingly for the cycle-crazy Dutch, the first SolaRoad is a bike path not far from Amsterdam.
The path is built of large modules of solar panels, each with heavy-duty glass protecting them from wear.
An additional rough translucent plastic coating on top ensures bikers don’t slip.
Sten de Wit of engineering firm TNO said each square metre of road generates 50- to 70 kilowatt hours of energy per year.
That’s about enough energy generated by the initial 70-metre test to power one house.
The three-year test project will cost US$3.7 million.
De Wit said that as solar cells get cheaper, solar roads will enjoy economies of scale.
