http://solarroadways.com/clearingthefreakinair.shtml This is so stupid why bother trying to answer their arguments.
I DID IT ANYWAYS
(I was bored)
False Claim: We picked a really stupid place to put solar panels
You did pick a stupid place, just because some problems can be avoided by creating more problems and steering away from original idea, doesn't make it viable. The cost is going to be astronomical.
You are clearly missing the point, please stop trying to avoid the subject.
Best place for solar panels is to put them somewhere where they get the most sun. Usually solar panels are located on the roof of a house and are not covered by glass or dirt or laid flat. Solar panels pay themselves back faster if they are given best chance of success. Best place for solar panels is not on dirty roads or under cars during the time they would generate the most power. How do you debunk that argument? Like many others have already pointed out, there are still lots of better places to put solar panels.
False Claim: Solar Roadways is going to cost $60 trillion dollars
I agree, it's probably going to cost more.
You say you have no idea how much it's going to cost. Well it's going to cost too much and same solar cells are put to better use almost anywhere else. You could at least do some rough calculations how much those same solar cells would produce power when placed in a optimal way. Just having good idea and not doing the work required is hardly worth 2M$ you are getting.
Years ago, when we were working on our very first prototype, we estimated that if we could make our 12' x 12' panels for under $10K, then we could break even with asphalt. That was mere speculation and had no relevance to the cost of even our first prototype, let alone our second.
False Claim: Asphalt roads are cheap and maintainable
How much your roads are going to cost and replace when those tempered glass panels will shatter? Asphalt roads are not cheap but cost of your solar roadways is ASTRONOMICAL.
Yes roads are expensive to maintain, but you still don't have any idea how many times more your solar roadways are going to cost maintain. I know the answer it's going to be several times more. PROVE ME WRONG SHOW US YOUR CALCULATIONS. The cost of those solar roadways is going to be something astronomical.
False Claim: we can't afford to heat roads
The claim was about the sheer power needed to heat the roads to keep them warm. Instead you are missing the point, good job. Show us your calculations? When you start your calculations you will see who was right. Oh, you are not going to do any calculations until you get the money? That is an EXCELLENT choice.
False Claim: Glass is softer than asphalt
The primary use (70%) of asphalt/bitumen is in road construction, where it is used as the glue or binder mixed with aggregate particles to create asphalt concrete. Its other main uses are for bituminous waterproofing products, including production of roofing felt and for sealing flat roofs.[6]
Asphalt is used as a binder of glue for the "aggregate particles". You saw those particles which thunderf00t used to scratch that really hard tempered glass. Those are the same particles that are used on roads. Asphalt is used to glue those together to form surface for car tires. Maybe you should make stones and sand and everything illegal so no one will be able to scratch that tempered glass? How are you really going to solve this problem? Invent that magical tempered glass which doesn't yet exist, which doesn't scratch? That same glass is breakable. Please see thunderf00t's first video about the pogo stick that is able to jump to the moon. Why don't you make that happen instead?
False Claim: The shadow a single bird can take out an entire solar array - let alone a car!
Microinverters allow solar panels to act independently of one another.
How much is that going to increase the cost of those roadways tiles? Just go ahead do some basic calculations. I just did basic approximation of this it's going to cost ALOT. It's going to double the price of each tile. Prove me wrong. Do some basic research into those microinveters? I can tell you now adding more cost to you tiles is not going to make them cheaper.
False Claim: You can't see LEDs in direct sunlight
Good thing you solved this by using MOAR POWAAAH (more power). Ok, you can solve this by using more power, but do some basic calculations first, you can't with current technology increase brightness without using more power.
Most traffic signals today are made with LEDs.
Can you see the shadow on that picture you chose? Those leds are shaded for a reason. How are your solar roadways going to work if you have to put your leds in them to shade so people can see them?
And what about all of those digital (LED) billboards we see all over town?
How long has Times Square been lit up with LEDs?
Those billboards use KILOWATTS of electricity, I think some of them were watercooled to take the heat away from them. THEY USE POWER ALOT OF POWER.
That is very easily corrected by substituting with higher intensity LEDs during future prototyping/production.
POWEEEER, UNLIMITED POWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
False Claim: We're attempting to use recycled colored glass to make new clear glass
Still it looks like you are letting people think that?
We wonder about people who reflexively dismiss our concept without trying to understand it, or go on public forums to attack us.
Truth hurts. Taking money from people with false pretenses and promises is just wrong. Even if they are stupid people. I understand your concept, it's cool as a concept. But this is still going to need technology breakthroughs to make it feasible. Best thing would be some material that has exact same properties as asphalt roads have and are going to be comparable in price. Your prices are going to be astronomical and usage of current solar cell technology makes it unpractical. You are taking peoples money by misleading them and letting them think something that is not going to happen. It's not going to happen anytime soon unless that magical new material is first discovered and then put to use.
Please bring to our attention any other uninformed arguments that you see being used repeatedly and we'll debunk them here and on our FAQ page
Please debunk my arguments.
There are just so many things against this. Where are the several inventions needed to make this happen?