Paving the way to the future

France is the first country to install solar panels onto 1000km of public roads

The French government has announced its intention to pave 1000km of road with photovoltaic panels in the next 5 years. Eventually, when the program achieves its maximum effect, this project could supply power to 5 million citizens!

The technology

This project -a patented French innovation- is called Wattway and comes after 5 years of research by the French infrastructure company, Colas, and the National Institute for Solar Energy. It is worth mentioning that this is the first time a government supports a renewable energy project in such a solid way.

The panels are made of polycrystalline silicon, coated with a layer of resin to strengthen them and make them less slippery. They are very thin (7 mm), very sturdy, skid-resistant, designed to last and to bear all types of traffic. And due to their small dimensions, they can be applied directly on the current pavement, without any need for civil engineering work. 

Photo credits: Colas/ Joachim Bertrand

According to the Agency of Environment and Energy Management, it is estimated that 1 km of road paved with these solar panels can provide electricity to power public lights for a city of 5000 people.

The first pilot plan was run in two French cities (Grenoble and Chambéry) in 2015, and after its success, it was decided to progress in a larger scale.

France will install solar panels for the first time onto public roads, but solar roads have already made their appearance in the Netherlands and in the US. In 2014, the world’s first solar bike path was built in the Netherlands, whereas a couple in Idaho, US and their ‘Solar Roadways’ project received a 2 year contract from Federal Highway Administration to develop their own solar roadways.

The opposite opinion

There are concerns however, that this solar road technology will never be cost effective, efficient and safe, when compared to the much cheaper asphalt. In terms of performance, the well set up (orientation, shading, ventilation etc) of the panels is very important, hardly the case when placed flat on the road. And of course, safety comes first so they must not prove to be more slippery than usual roads, no matter how much power they produce.

There are certainly a few issues to be solved, but sooner or later it seems that some roads will obtain a new function, that of producing energy!

Source:Global Consruction Review - GCR