Why the lame arse full colour patterns on the panels?
Why can't they have "Solar Roadways" scrolling or something?
It's not even a half impressive LED demo
When he rebooted the panels at midnight*, they were in lock-step for a little while, but then started falling out of sync. So they're actually individually going through the same fixed loop/routine, but evidently their clocks aren't synced. In other words, yes, it's about the lamest possible implementation, no randomisation, nor any communication between panels at all (except for cutting power )...
Why the lame arse full colour patterns on the panels?
Why can't they have "Solar Roadways" scrolling or something?
It's not even a half impressive LED demo
What's interesting is that 100% of the panels will have to be replaced at this point in order to have a functional system that meets the solar road definition. What is installed represents all of the assembled PCBs Solar Roadways has, so more will need to be ordered. I'm guessing at such low volume that each tile must be around $500 each in actual costs. The glass is custom made and CNC milled at SR's facility.
So, somebody is likely going to go another $15K out of pocket if this system is going to even remotely be functional. Winter is coming rapidly and there is the promise of a "snow and ice free" surface to meet. Sandpoint is a winter resort destination, so expect the system to get a lot of visibility.
And with likely lead times running at least 6-8 weeks, the system will likely be repaired no sooner than Christmas time.
Millions go quick when you're buying capital equipment to do manufacturing. SR bought a very spendy German mill designed for glass milling as well as a large vacuum chamber for curing the panels. There are a few full-time staff members which burn cash reserves as well.
Millions go quick when you're buying capital equipment to do manufacturing. SR bought a very spendy German mill designed for glass milling as well as a large vacuum chamber for curing the panels. There are a few full-time staff members which burn cash reserves as well.The solution is - sell this equipment at a discounted price to people who can load it 100% and get their money back. After that find a company that will cut the glass for you. This is a relatively straightforward and cheap process.
You really need to be stupid to buy capital equipment like this. It is like being an electronics startup and buying your own wet etching lines to make PCBs.
You really need to be stupid to buy capital equipment like this. It is like being an electronics startup and buying your own wet etching lines to make PCBs.
I do not disagree, but that's what's happened/happening.
Mike could get a well paying consultancy gig from them. This is obviously more of an artwork than a roadway or foot path. It has the appearance of their first attempt to actually produce a tile. With not even basic reliability testing for a few days done at their factory/warehouse.
I can't help wondering why they have cut off all the extra wires to each tile, left as is they will wick in water to the electronics. Are the extra wires for the led control data! Only single RGB colour per tile, where are road markings! individually addressable leds are not rocket science these days.
Not exactly generating electric power, melting snow and what not, but somewhat practical if it works. Doesn't say what it does to the environment over time...
...
THE SCIENCE IS NEVER SETTLED ON ANYTHING!!!!!
THE SCIENCE IS NEVER SETTLED ON ANYTHING!!!!!
Winter is coming...
THE SCIENCE IS NEVER SETTLED ON ANYTHING!!!!!
Let's not derail this with a global warming debate, please.
THE SCIENCE IS NEVER SETTLED ON ANYTHING!!!!!
Let's not derail this with a global warming debate, please.
My main point was NOT global warming. It was that stupid ideas like solar roadways are only even considered because of bullshit salesmen. 'Act now!' and 'The science is settled!' are both bullshit tactics, if you see them used as arguments for any product or idea you can bet it is bullshit.
Winter is coming...
Let there be no doubt that Scott Brusaw is a great salesman and marketing genius. And I mean that with all sincerity. I never would have thought to execute this the way he has, and that it would be so well received.
I'm sure a snow plow would wreck havoc on these the first few times it passes
I think if all you want to do with these is power the leds, if done right it could very well work strictly off solar and would perhaps be usable in places that get foot traffic only, and that you don't care about in winter. Basically walking trails and stuff.
TBH I was actually expecting more from these, they are actually worse than I expected. I knew they were generally not viable, but I get the impression these are absolutely not generating any net positive energy at all and not to mention that half of them arn't even working at all. Their confidence can be dictated by looking at all those AC-DC power supplies they put in that cabinet.