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Help me understand the logic behind taking a PV and stepping on it in the worst possible way, leaving dirt , rubber etc, when every PV that is exposed only to t
by buboard 7y ago
Help me understand the logic behind taking a PV and stepping on it in the worst possible way, leaving dirt , rubber etc, when every PV that is exposed only to the open air needs regular cleaning / maintainance. And its being frequently under the shade of cars
- doteka 7y agoI'm curious how you arrived at that conclusion? Common wisdom, at least a few years ago, was "cleaning isn't worth it". (https://phys.org/news/2013-07-solar-panels-worth.html https://phys.org/news/2013-07-solar-panels-worth.html)
- rbongers 7y agoThis is for rooftop panels though. Having regular activity on top of something is, I would assume, very different than just letting it sit.
- jdietrich 7y agoSelf-cleaning glass is a fairly mature technology and will work effectively on a rooftop solar installation. That won't work on a solar roadway, which a) needs a textured surface to provide adequate grip for vehicles and b) can't retain any sort of coating due to friction and c) is constantly being covered in axle grease, tire rubber, brake dust and the innards of various wild animals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-cleaning_glass https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-cleaning_glass
- imtringued 7y agoThe article starts with the wrong assumption that you have to hire people to clean the solar panels. Robots have taken over that job a long time ago, at least for utility scale solar.
- rbongers 7y agoThere is no logic behind it, only blind idealism. Unfortunately the couple who invented solar roads poured a lot of time and money into this idea and couldn't back down. Many people followed their enthusiasm. I think one of the most difficult things you can do as a person is to be honest with yourself and admit when something has failed or won't work and to abandon it, but stories like this are reminders to really self reflect.