11 years ago

Dave debunks the Solar Roadways project that generated over $2.1M on Indiegogo, as well as almost another million dollars in US government funding.
PART 2 HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOZBrHqTJk4
In this video Dave does the solar generation calculations to see if this system is viable from an energy generation viewpoint, and also how much power the LED's might typically consume.
What are the losses in a typical practical system like this?
Are Solar Freakin Roadways feasible?, or just pie-in-the-sky rubbish?
This debunking covers only a couple of the likely dozens of major technical issues with this concept.
The main take-away form this video is that these solar roadways panels will never EVER be economically viable, and the solar payback is simply comical. EVen if they can meet ann the ridiculously high demands on a physical roadway.
Also, no amount of research will EVER make this a viable idea. You can't just take existing solar technology (which is borderline viable at best of times) and put it in the most hostile physical environment possible, least efficient environment possible, and most costly environment possible and expect it to be viable. It won't be viable, ever.

Datasheets & Links:
http://www.solarroadways.com
Sunpower E18 Solar Panels: http://hvce.com/admin/content/uploads/Sunpower230.pdf
Dave's solar system data:
http://pvoutput.org/intraday.jsp?id=22501&sid=20402&dt=20131104
John Deere 3038E tractor: http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/005/9/1/5912-john-deere-3038e-dimensions.html
Philips Luxeon Rebel LED: http://www.philipslumileds.com/uploads/265/DS68-pdf
http://www.philipslumileds.com/uploads/17/DS61-pdf

Thunderf00t's videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H901KdXgHs4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ftXinT4jI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocV-RnVQdcs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI8c2f8r0UU

Forum: http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-632-solar-roadways-are-bullshit!/

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