3 ms·

The cost is just to high compared to commercial solar farms[1]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obS6TUVSZds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obS6TUVSZds

maneesh 9y ago
That's what they said about solar energy in general 10 years ago.
- pdelbarba 9y ago
  This isn't a technology problem though. It's a stupid problem. Compare this to building a blender that plays MP3s. Why would you not just cheaply mount the solar panels next to the road? You can still do all the gimmicks with the LEDs and stuff without having to spend time and money making a high traction, durable road surface that doubles as a solar panel. There's nothing to be gained.
  - gravypod 9y ago
    You could also just mount the panels above the road and block the sun out of people's eyes while they drive. Less sun hitting people also means less people need to run the AC on the road. If you don't mount flat you can then do tracking too. Like you say. Mounting flat is probably the worst way to go from a utility and return standpoint.
- gravypod 9y ago
  It's still true. Solar Power in most of the USA is too expensive unless you factor in government subsidies that has been added to accommodate externalities caused by burning fossil fuels. The technology currently is not cheaper to manufacture then coal/natural gas for most of the USA mainly due to the high investment cost and high maintenance cost of panels. These panels don't last forever and you can expect to replace them once every few (5-10) years. For commercial installs you also need to install rotors which have their own failures and maintenance costs associated with them. To have solar win against fossils you need an area that is sunny and very dry. You also need very very cheap land. Watt/square meter of land fossils will win in most places within the US.
oddlyaromatic 9y ago
I have been deceived by their flashy marketing it seems! Thanks for the link.

maneesh 9y ago

That's what they said about solar energy in general 10 years ago.

pdelbarba 9y ago
This isn't a technology problem though. It's a stupid problem. Compare this to building a blender that plays MP3s. Why would you not just cheaply mount the solar panels next to the road? You can still do all the gimmicks with the LEDs and stuff without having to spend time and money making a high traction, durable road surface that doubles as a solar panel. There's nothing to be gained.
- gravypod 9y ago
  You could also just mount the panels above the road and block the sun out of people's eyes while they drive. Less sun hitting people also means less people need to run the AC on the road. If you don't mount flat you can then do tracking too. Like you say. Mounting flat is probably the worst way to go from a utility and return standpoint.
gravypod 9y ago
It's still true. Solar Power in most of the USA is too expensive unless you factor in government subsidies that has been added to accommodate externalities caused by burning fossil fuels. The technology currently is not cheaper to manufacture then coal/natural gas for most of the USA mainly due to the high investment cost and high maintenance cost of panels. These panels don't last forever and you can expect to replace them once every few (5-10) years. For commercial installs you also need to install rotors which have their own failures and maintenance costs associated with them. To have solar win against fossils you need an area that is sunny and very dry. You also need very very cheap land. Watt/square meter of land fossils will win in most places within the US.

oddlyaromatic 9y ago

I have been deceived by their flashy marketing it seems! Thanks for the link.