From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Startup | |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | 721 Pine Street, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864, United States [1] |
| Website | solarroadways.com |
Solar Roadways Incorporated is a startup company based in Sandpoint, Idaho, that is developing solar powered road panels to form a smart highway. Their technology combines a transparent driving surface with underlying solar cells, electronics and sensors to act as a solar array with programmable capability. Solar Roadways Inc is working to develop and commercially produce road panels which are made from recycled materials and incorporate photovoltaic cells. [2]
History
In 2006, the company was founded by Scott and Julie Brusaw, with Scott as President and CEO. The company envisioned replacing asphalt surfaces with structurally-engineered solar panels capable of withstanding vehicular traffic."[3] The proposed system would require the development of strong, transparent, and self-cleaning glass that has the necessary traction and impact-resistance properties. [4]In 2009, Solar Roadways received a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for Phase I to develop and build a solar parking lot.[5] In 2011, Solar Roadways received $750,000 SBIR grant from the DOT for Phase II to develop and build a solar parking lot.[6] The DOT distinguishes the technology proposed by Solar Roadways Inc. as "Solar Power Applications in the Roadway," as compared to a number of other solar technologies categorized by the DOT as "Solar Applications along the Roadway."[7] From SBIR grant money, Solar Roadways has built a 12-by-36-foot (3.7 by 11.0 m) parking lot covered with hexagonal glass-covered solar panels sitting on top of a concrete base, which are heated to help remove snow and ice, and also include LEDs to display messages. The hexagonal shape allows for better coverage on curves and hills. According to the Brusaws, the panels can sustain a 250,000 lb (110,000 kg) load. [8]
In April 2014, Solar Roadways started a crowdfunding drive at Indiegogo to raise money so they can get the product into production. In May, it was extended by another 30 days. The campaign raised 2.2 million dollars, exceeding its target of 1 million dollars.[9] The drive became Indiegogo’s most popular campaign ever in terms of the number of backers it has attracted.[10] The success was attributed in part to a Tweet made by George Takei, who played Sulu on Star Trek, due to his more than 8 million followers.[11][12] One of the Brusaws’ videos went viral, with nearly 15 million views as of June 2014.[12]
In 2014, doubt was expressed regarding the political feasibility of the project on a national scale by Jonathan Levine, a professor of urban planning at the University of Michigan. He suggested, however, that a single town might be able to deploy the concept in a limited test case such as a parking lot.[13]
List of awards and honors
- 2009 EE Times Annual Creativity in Electronics (ACE) Awards "Best Enabler Award for Green Engineering" category finalist.[14]
- 2010 EE Times Annual Creativity in Electronics (ACE) Awards "Most Promising Renewable Energy Award" category finalist.[15]
- 2010 General Electric Ecoimagination Community Award of $50,000.[16]
- 2013 World Technology Award finalist.[17]
- 2014 Popular Science. One of 7 "Best of What's New" Engineering category.[18]
