Asphalt that generates electricity? It sounds absurd, but it could be the key to a sustainable energy future. A team of researchers has proposed turning the world's highways into massive solar power plants. The idea is as simple as it is radical. It is not even new, however, but the study published in the journal Earth's Future (I link it here) takes this idea to a global level. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Geosciences and Columbia University did the math: The world's 3,2 million kilometers of highways and highways could accommodate a long "solar road." With the beauty of 52,3 billion polycrystalline solar panels.
We are not talking about replacing asphalt with walkable panels or placing panels at the edges of the roads, but to create a sort of solar roof over the existing roadways. A solution that not only would not require additional land, but could also offer additional benefits such as protection from the elements. Covered highways that generate energy: crazy, right? Now go back to the times of ancient Rome and tell those kids that in the future chariots will go by themselves, without horses.
The energy potential of the solar road
How much could this giant solar infrastructure produce? According to researchers' calculations, annual production could reach i 17.578 terawattora of green electricity. To put it into perspective, we're talking more than four times the annual energy production of the United States.
I was really surprised. I didn't know that highways alone could support the installation of solar projects of this magnitude.
These words Ling Yao, lead author of the study, who expresses amazement at the research results. And there is something to be surprised about: this energy production it would cover over 60% of current global electricity consumption.
Environmental and safety impacts
The solar road would not only produce clean energy. The implementation of this system could reduce global carbon emissions by about 28%, eliminating the equivalent of 9,66 gigatons of CO2 per year. A significant contribution in the fight against climate change.
But there's more. The researchers suggest that these solar roofs could also increase road safety. As? The panels, inclined by 5 degrees, could reduce the risk of accidents due to bad weather and snowfall. The study estimates a potential 10,8% reduction in road deaths. A solar road could therefore not only power the planet, but also save lives.
It goes without saying that the solar road is a Herculean undertaking
Despite the impressive potential, the solar road project presents significant obstacles. The first and most obvious is the financial one: a project of this scale would require colossal investments. Furthermore, the visual impact of such infrastructures would not be negligible. Then there are technical issues to consider. How to manage the maintenance of such a large system? How to ensure that the panels do not interfere with traffic or emergency vehicles?
The idea of turning our highways into solar power plants, however, is fascinating. Some countries are already experimenting with pilot projects of photovoltaic highway roofs. Switzerland, Germany e Austria they are among the pioneers in this field. Furthermore, the study indicates that eastern China, western Europe and the east coast of the United States would be the most suitable regions to implement this concept, also thanks to the quality of their road infrastructure.
The road to a sustainable future
The solar road represents a bold and innovative idea to address two of the greatest challenges of our time: clean energy production and road safety. Maybe it will be realized in the next century, maybe never, but the very idea pushes us to radically rethink our infrastructures. In one of the “possible futures”, driving under a roof of solar panels is the norm. And every highway trip is not only a way to reach our destination, but also a contribution to the production of clean energy for the planet.
