Solar panel roads trial in Calgary

[Gestalt]

Originally posted by sexualbanana


Isn't that the basis of most nationalized infrastructure programs? ie. telephone, electric grid, etc?

I think AGT was a government-run company before it was privatized. If I remember correctly.

Absolutely. TAx payers create, build, risk at times when something may not be feasable or profitable. Once its proven, big business steps in to make it even better.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[ercchry]

Originally posted by kertejud2


From the article:

A subsidiary of Bouygues SA has designed rugged solar panels, capable of withstand the weight of an 18-wheeler truck, that they’re now building into road surfaces. After nearly five years of research and laboratory tests, they’re constructing 100 outdoor test sites...

Followed by:

“We need to test for all kinds of different traffic and climate conditions,” Harelle said. “I want to find the limits of it. We think that maybe it will not be able to withstand a snow plow.”



So in short: if they knew, they probably wouldn't need to do a trial.

I thought these things were supposed to heat up, so no need for plows, salt, or gravel

[theken]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Only if they can get rid of frost jacking! Forget snow plows, frost is the #1 destroyer of roads in Calgary.

Best way to get smooth roads just like Phoenix is burn coal, get yourself a nice big truck or SUV, and crank the heat in your house. The sooner global warming gets here, the sooner we can start living the good life!

One day it will come... just like they said it would 15 years ago.... sure it snowed in Tokyo for the first time in 50 years... but THAT IS JUST WEATHER PEOPLE, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CLIMATE! Climate change can only come when the CBC announces it, as there are no visible cues.

that's first snowfall in November, not the first snowfall...seasons are weird aren't they

[Sugarphreak]

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[revelations]

Originally posted by ercchry


I thought these things were supposed to heat up, so no need for plows, salt, or gravel

According to the video posted above - it cant do anything besides shine some dim LEDS that are only visible after sunset.

[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Only if they can get rid of frost jacking! Forget snow plows, frost is the #1 destroyer of roads in Calgary.

Best way to get smooth roads just like Phoenix is burn coal, get yourself a nice big truck or SUV, and crank the heat in your house. The sooner global warming gets here, the sooner we can start living the good life!

While i do agree that frost heaves are what destroy our roads, these panels would have to be a lot sturdier than their asphalt counterparts which should theoretically result in smoother roads.

[Seth1968]

Wattway layers several types of plastics to create a clear and durable casing.

Plastics created from what?

Never mind every other idiotic aspects to the scheme.

Like I've said, I was "into" reducing general pollution long before the hipsters corrupted the whole thing.

Call me ignorant all you want, but I'm not against capitalism, vaccinations, or your porn addiction.

I'm against all those gone awry. But I guess that's subjective.

[ercchry]

Originally posted by revelations


According to the video posted above - it cant do anything besides shine some dim LEDS that are only visible after sunset.

Yeah these are the ones I'm thinking of... seems way better, but it's been a couple years, wonder what happened to them?

[Gestalt]

Plastics in North America are mainly from plant sources.

[thetransporter]

being Calgary i can see this happening:

[mazdavirgin]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Wait hang on... are you referring to seasons as the result of weather patterns, or seasons as climate change impacts?

I know the hipsters have said it is wrong to compare weather to climate change, as the two are totally separate from one another. But I am not sure if a change in seasonal patterns is allowed to be related to climate change.

I do feel a bit betrayed though, there are at least 100 blogs out there now claiming the snow is a climate change phenomenon. It is like they can't even follow their own protocols around what is and isn't acceptable as evidence. Almost like they are hypocrites that only accept evidence if it is in their favour or something.

You do know that there's a difference between actual science and blog posts right? Antropogenic climate change is pretty much unarguable frankly. The data shows clear warming trends coinciding with industrialization thinking otherwise is just denial.

Will it result in the end of days or the apocalypse? No, the planet will adapt it's been a lot warmer than it is now in the past... Will it result in long term consequences for low lying countries. Yeah... Should we stop extracting oil etc...? No since there's no alternative at the moment other than returning to the 1800's. Does it mean we should stop burning fossil fuels and move to nuclear? Yeah thats probably the correct long term approach here to try to stabalize the climate and not cause quite a few pacific islands to sink.

[Supa Dexta]

Gimmicky shit. Throw up a regular solar panel farm if you want to throw money in this direction.

[suntan]

Things like solar and wind are simply feel good initiatives that really do nothing to help the environment.

[ZenOps]

Not really all that practical in Canada.

Arguably, the best orientation of a solar panel as you move further from the equator is straight vertical pointing southward. In fact, if you have ever seen a solar powered traffic redirector in Calgary, you will notice quickly that its not flat, its usually straight up and down pointing south.

Placing it horizontal, is fine for New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

[Xtrema]

$30-$80/m2 for asphalt

$2500/m2 for this BS.

It generate 200w/m2 in best scenario, (probably less than 1/2 after you rough up the glass for traffic), so it generate 0.1kwh or around 1 penny/hr, $29/year, ROI is 87 years?

How would anyone think we will get $ back at all is astounding.

[sexualbanana]

Im wondering what kind of effect this will have on traction.

[Sugarphreak]

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[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


I don't know, frost can tear apart reinforced concrete fairly easily in Alberta. Either you make it flexible enough to take 3-4" of movement, or you have to pile it with void form under which would be rediculously expensive.

Should just go nuclear up North and sell power to the rest of Canada to diversify the economy

If these panels damage as easily as asphalt, thereis no chance that they ever get approved for mass use due to the ridiculous up front costs associated - as posted above by Xtrema. At over 30x the cost, they better last longer or else these roads may as well be made out of gold bricks.