solar highway robbery

[hamdi.tn]

I like how the Power Integration page administrator jumped on this one.
However they should know better that solar roadway are BS.
Link to the not so much important news. Beside the fact that this maybe the easiest way someone stole a tech, if we assume there is some new tech used in this roadway prototype.

https://okt.to/KerAb1

[Cyberdragon]

  KARMA!

[rsjsouza]

Quite interesting; in Brazil and other countries, theft of buried electrical cables is commonplace (copper is quite valuable as scrap) and I always wondered how such valuable pieces of equipment would stand the test of greed.

[IanMacdonald]

Yes, but theft of cable does have a certain risk attached to it.     Solar, not so much if done under cover of darkness.

[Hypernova]

Copper cables I get, but how would the thieves unload their loot? The panels are already bonded to whatever the tiles are made of so what would the scrap dealer do with them?

But this is the country where even ordinary roads get stolen so I guess I am just not thinking out side of the box enough.

[glarsson]

Copper cables I get, but how would the thieves unload their loot? The panels are already bonded to whatever the tiles are made of so what would the scrap dealer do with them?

They only cut out part of a panel, so the likely explanations are either sabotage or industrial espionage. Any new progress at the freaking solar roadways team?

[TerraHertz]

Most intriguing detail of the article: "transparent concrete".

What technological magic is this?

[GreyWoolfe]

Most intriguing detail of the article: "transparent concrete".

What technological magic is this?

This was done by the same person that designed transparent aluminum.  Great for transporting whales on starships.

[nctnico]

Most intriguing detail of the article: "transparent concrete".

What technological magic is this?

The one that got translated wrong.

[PlainName]

Most intriguing detail of the article: "transparent concrete".

What technological magic is this?

Slight  mis-translation:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translucent_concrete

[Ampera]

With all the bullshit put into solar roadways, we could have put the same money into normal solar farms that don't have a load of cars blocking the light on them, and then just invest in some heated roads if we want them so badly.

[PlainName]

put the same money into normal solar farms that don't have a load of cars blocking the light on them

Easier said than done. I tried to install 10kW of panels a couple of years back in an overgrown field that was unused (obvs), wasn't going to be used and wasn't overlooked by anything. The local planning dept killed it stone dead despite government incentives. On the other hand, they had no problem authorising a new housing estate 100yds away...

Roads are simple because they are already there. Finding some land that isn't arable, building development or just plain good looking (solar farms are, generally, fugly) isn't as easy as it seems.

[Ampera]

Houses, buildings, there are places better than roads is what I'm saying. This is where companies like SolarCity prosper, as they install solar panels onto residential premises.

[nctnico]

Houses, buildings, there are places better than roads is what I'm saying.

Where this reasoning falls apart is where it comes to execution. Not everyone (home owners/companies) is able to afford solar panels and/or willing to put them on their roof. And even if governments make it mandatory (talking about political suicide) it will still take decades which is way too long. Amongst other soluations (like putting solar panels in large lakes and/or the seas) solar roadways are a quick and painless way out to get renewable energy on a short term. Efficiency and cost don't really matter because it is cheaper than not meeting the CO2 reduction goals.

[Ampera]

I'm not saying mandatory, I am saying put all the money wasted on solar roadways into improving the technology in general, or even just buying people solar panels. So far, this is just a massive cash burning spree that has a near infinite number of better uses.

I'm not an EE, I just hang around here because this forum is close to my interests and I hope to one day get EE qualifications, but I think that with a large number of industries dedicated towards cleaner and renewable power, throwing it into this is a bad idea.

[nctnico]

I'm not saying mandatory, I am saying put all the money wasted on solar roadways into improving the technology in general, or even just buying people solar panels. So far, this is just a massive cash burning spree that has a near infinite number of better uses.

You shouldn't forget that the major investors in solar roadways are private companies and not governments. Several people seem to have done the math and deemed it worthwhile to invest in.

[shakalnokturn]

IMHO nothing worth bothering with, the thieves would actually be doing more good than harm by uprooting the lot and using it on roofs.
I'm sure it is worth while to invest in for the private company, and possibly some government members if there are financial agreements between them, also pretty sure someone (the end user) ends up paying for a wastefull solution on environmental excuses so that a private company can make big cash.

[Ampera]

I'm not saying mandatory, I am saying put all the money wasted on solar roadways into improving the technology in general, or even just buying people solar panels. So far, this is just a massive cash burning spree that has a near infinite number of better uses.

You shouldn't forget that the major investors in solar roadways are private companies and not governments. Several people seem to have done the math and deemed it worthwhile to invest in.

I don't think it matters if it's the government or corporations who threw money at it. Private companies and investment firms threw well over 120,000,000 United States Dollars at a company selling 400 dollar DRM juicers, by a man who went on to claim that untreated water was actually good for you.

I can rant all my want. I think my opinion is valid, but opinions are but birdshot to the hull of industrial stupidity. Renewable energy is a promising future with major strides already made into it. Blowing money onto a technology that doesn't have the unobtanium to do anything near worthwhile is stupid.

Now, my question is, why not use solar sidewalks instead? You don't need to use as strong of a material to top it, the lights could be used to replace street lighting (and maybe even be motion or pressure detected to avoid light pollution), you will get more energy because there aren't massive cars covering it, and we have plows that clear away our streets, but as a person who has to scale snow mountains during the winter, heated sidewalks isn't a terrible idea.

[PlainName]

why not use solar sidewalks instead?

That's a good question. From a position of no knowledge I'd hazard a guess that there aren't any sidewalks out in the sticks, and around town they might be shadowed by the buildings they butt up against. Also, dogs shit on them (they also shit on roads, but only once).

[Ampera]

why not use solar sidewalks instead?

That's a good question. From a position of no knowledge I'd hazard a guess that there aren't any sidewalks out in the sticks, and around town they might be shadowed by the buildings they butt up against. Also, dogs shit on them (they also shit on roads, but only once).

I mean, roads can be shadowed by buildings too. It's also illegal for you to not pick up after your dog around here, although that doesn't mean it won't happen. If we really need to be sticking solar panels into the ground, I think this may be a better idea than solar FRICKING roadways.

I still stick by the concept that if we can find more and better places to stick solar panels, that's a nicer alternative to sticking them in the road.

[PlainName]

I mean, roads can be shadowed by buildings too

Sure, but they start further away and stretch across the bit where there will be light (if there is any).

It's also illegal for you to not pick up after your dog around here

That bit was a joke. Not a very good one, I know, but it is 2am and your choice is either that or a re-run of Family Guy.

a nicer alternative to sticking them in the road

Tell you what, why not try a mental exercise on this: take a look at the street outside your house and figure the ballpark area it covers. Now go and ask your neighbours how much they want to give you that much of their gardens. And roofs. Since you own the road (we'll assume you're the local authority), which is cheaper to fit out with the same amount of power, factoring in the shadow problem, wear and tear, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the road turned out cheaper. In fact, given some of my neighbours, I reckon the road would be the only option.

[Ampera]

Having some solar panels at all is nicer than burning millions into a destined to fail project.

I'm not saying my solution is perfect, but the one being attempted is a worse prospect.

[hamdi.tn]

Am not sure where this debate is going, but trying to prouve that Solar roadway is not a big waste of money compared to anything else that already exist is a waste of time.   

[Ampera]

Am not sure where this debate is going, but trying to prouve that Solar roadway is not a big waste of money compared to anything else that already exist is a waste of time.   

That's not what is trying to be proven here. This is more of an aggressive thought experiment more than anything.

[Marco]

You shouldn't forget that the major investors in solar roadways are private companies and not governments. Several people seem to have done the math and deemed it worthwhile to invest in.

Small time investors being bilked by sociopaths and maybe a couple engineers lying to themselves for a paycheck.