SOLAR ROADWAYS

Under the guidance of

V. Mahesh
ASSOCIATOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING,
SV COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, TIRUPATI
Presented by
K. Pavani
21BF1A0127
 CONTENTS


INTRODUCTION

HISTORY

SOLAR ENERGY

CONSTRUCTION & LAYERS

SPECIFICATIONS OF SOLAR PANEL USED

SALIENT FEATURES OF SOLAR ROADWAYS

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

FUTURE SCOPE

CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION

•
A solar roadways is a road surface that generates electricity by solar power
using photovoltaic and includes solar panels and LED signage, that can be
driven on.
•
The idea is to replace current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots,
and driveways with solar road panels that collect energy to be used by
homes and businesses, and ultimately to be able to store excess energy in
or alongside the solar roadways.
•
Thus renewable energy replaces the need for the current fossil fuels used
for the generation of electricity, which cuts greenhouse gases and helps in
sustainable development.
Why solar energy

Solar energy is preferable as compared to another energy

sources due to following reasons
 Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels

 Environmental friendly

 Flexible locations
 Solar
roadways
involves
photovoltaic
effect
 PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL

 Photovoltaic cells are used to convert

solar energy directly into electricity
using semiconductors.
 This is active of solar technology.
 GLASS LAYER


Translucent and high strength

Rough enough to provide sufficient
traction

Embedded with LEDs and heating
element

Weatherproof.
 Electronic layer

 Consists of photovoltaic cells which absorbs

solarenergy.
 Consists of microprocessor board with support
circuitry.
 A communication device every 12 feet.
 Heating elements helps to melt snow.
 Base plate layer


Distributes power and signals to and from the panels.

Waterproof for protecting the electronic layer.

It needs to be weatherproof
to protect the layers above.
 SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SOLAR PANEL USED

Each panels covers an area of about4.39 square feet.

• The Solar panels used are 48 watt
• 15840 panels-for 1 mile
• 414.984MWh produced per 
year for1 mile
Are Solar Roadways practically possible?
 YES
 According to Moh's scale of hardness, glass

used in solar roadways is harder than current

asphalt roads.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF SOLARROADWAYS

 
INTELLIGENT HIGHWAYS

power and data delivery.

Forms a WAN, with each individual panel containing a microprocessor
board with its own address.

XBee RF module is added to incorporate wireless communication
 SMART POWER GRID

POWER GRID:
 

A svstem of transmission mediums that allow

 

electricity to be transferred at different

voltages from the point of generation to our
home.
 
Problems with current power grid:
1. Network congestions are occurring
 

2. Need for more information and

 

transparency to customers.

3 .Can't support the development of

 

renewable energies.
 Smart power grid
•
Decentralizing the production of electricity

. Phasor Measurement Units (PMU)

•
Array of sensors would monitor voltage and current.
•
Equipped with a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter).
 Snow and ice management

•
The heating system in Solar Roadways maintains a temperature above
freezing point using pipes.
•
The microprocessor has an uplink to a local weather station to predict
precipitation events
 Illuminated roads


32*32 array of LED cells.
•
Configure which LEDs would turn on/off
•
LEDs can also be programmed to warn speed limits.
 How do electric vehicles get charged?


Allow electric cars to recharge at any rest stop made up of Solar Panel

Hard-wired EV charging station that delivers up to a 24 kWh charge in 4-8
hours.

Investigating ways to use mutual induction to charge.
 Advantages of solar roadways


Renewability

Life span- 20-25 years

Road illumination

Intelligent highway system

Military and rescue assistance

Safer travel

Reduces dependence on fossil fuels
 DISADVANTAGES


Maintenance costs

Seasonal efficiency
•
Not suitable for heavy vehicles since they cannot withstand very heavy
loads.

Still in research and development

Needs more testing.
 Future scope


Create an intelligent, secure highway

Self-healing power grid

Provide safer driving conditions

End our dependency on oil and other fossil fuels

Traffic management

Electric vehicles to recharge anywhere
 Conclusion

Along with energy generation , solar roots carry a number of
benefits that will create a safer environment to drive in
including LED indicators on the road ,warming capabilities to
melt ice in the winter and the reduced demand for
reconstruction as solar roadways last on average 21years
without replacement

Solar roadways may not have the staying power in the long
run, but it’s too soon to stop the journey.