Remember "Solar Freakin Roadways"?

[AsianTrumpSupporter]

The reality is really underwhelming. Don't get me wrong. It sounds like a cool idea if they can get the technology right, but we're definitely not there.

 

[mamooth]

As Thunderf00t pointed out, It's a big scam.

Engineering-wise, it makes no sense.

Glass sucks as a road-building material. That's why we don't build roads out of glass.

Solar panels suck if you put them flat on the ground. They're not angled towards the sun, they get dirty and scratched and shaded.

However, I was impressed by the original "SOLAR FREAKIN' ROADWAYS!" video. That was successful as a psychological tool to convince fools to part with their money.

 

[Pogo]

I'm more interested in musical roadways. You pave grooves into the road to play tones.

​

I'm thinking you could develop this enough to a hi-fi state where the tire acts like a record stylus and play hi-fi sound..
We could have separate lanes for different kinds of music.

Only thing is ---- just as they did with radio some hypercapitalist asshole would fuck it up by recording commercials on 'em.

 

[waltky]

The annual solar challenge race is on in Australia's outback...

Teams Race Across Australia in World Solar Challenge
October 08, 2017 — The World Solar Challenge began Sunday with 42 solar cars crossing Australia’s tropical north to its southern shores, a grueling 3,000 kilometer (1,864 mile) race through the outback.

The race from the northern city of Darwin to the southern city of Adelaide is expected to take a week for most cars, with speeds of 90-100 kilometers per hour (55-62 mph) powered only by the sun. The fastest time was achieved by Japan’s Tokai University in 2009, completing the transcontinental race in 29 hours and 49 minutes. Belgian team Punch Powertrain started first Sunday after recording a trial time of 2:03.8 for 2.97 km (1.78 miles), hitting an average speed of 83.4 kilometers per hour (51.5mph).

The Punch Powertrain Solar Team car from Belgium competes during the qualification lap for the 2017 World Solar Challenge at Hidden Valley race track in Darwin, Australia, Oct. 7, 2017. On Sunday, 42 Solar cars from 21 different countries will start a 3,000 km. (1864 mile) race from Darwin to Adelaide.​

But reigning 2015 champions Nuon from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands believes it has a good chance of retaining the prize. “All the cars look completely different (this year), and all we know is we’ve got a good car, we’ve got it running perfectly the last couple of days and we’re confident we’re going to do everything to win,” tour manager Sarah Benninkbolt said Sunday.

Race director Chris Selwood said the biennial event has attracted one of the best fields ever, with teams from more than 40 countries. “This is the 30th anniversary of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge and competitors want to be part of that. They have been drawn to the challenge of new regulations which reduced the solar array size without limiting the size of the solar car,” Selwood said.

The Mississippi Choctaw High School Solar Car Team, one of several from the U.S., competes during the qualification lap for the 2017 World Solar Challenge at Hidden Valley race track in Darwin, Australia​

Teams come from countries including the United States, Japan, Germany, Chile, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Belgium, Sweden, Iran, South Korea, India, Hong Kong, South Africa, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, Canada, Taiwan and Australia.

The Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss said her government’s A$250,000 (US$194,150) sponsorship of the race showed it was committed to achieving 50 percent renewable energy for the territory by 2030. “Innovation is at the heart of the event and the technology showcased this year will influence continuing solar innovation for vehicles and householders in the future,” she said. “This event is a great promotion for the NT — it shows our ability to innovate to the world.”

Teams Race Across Australia in World Solar Challenge