Snow-melting solar roads are being tested publicly in the US

A public square in Sandpoint, Idaho now has what looks like a light-up dance floor — 30 hexagonal tiles with flashing LEDs. But each tile is actually a solar panel, and collectively, the tiles will soon power a nearby fountain and restroom.

The installation, which debuted October 3, is the first public test of solar roadway technology in the US.  Solar Roadways, the company that developed the technology being demonstrated in Idaho, was founded in 2006 by husband-wife team Scott and Julie Brusaw. The trial in Sandpoint is meant to test the company’s newest prototype, called SR3 since it’s the third iteration.

Each SR3 tile contains a 44-watt solar panel. The tiles are designed to heat themselves so the hardware doesn’t freeze when temperatures drop, ensuring the panels can generate energy year round (and eliminating the need for a snow plow on roads that use the tiles).

The tempered glass that coats the panels is durable; it can withstand the weight of a semi truck. And the LED lights actually serve a purpose as well — they’re designed to replace painted lane markers, making it easier to change a road's design if it undergoes construction.

The company has received several grants from the US Department of Transportation, and raised an impressive $2.2 million in an Indiegogo campaign. In addition to helping end dependence on fossil fuels, Scott and Julie Brusaw also envision a future in which Solar Roadways tiles could be used in solar parking lots that charge electric cars.

Read more at Business Insider

Image Credit: Solar Roadways

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