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user-inactivated  ·  2573 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Water is wet, fire is hot and the Solar Roadway is a complete disaster

There is no FUCKING way this is ever going to be more than a vanity project, and I can tell you the exact moment I came to that conclusion. Back in the original video they run a cat back-loader over the panels to show how strong they are. This is the exact moment I knew they were full of shit. tracked vehicles have a lower pressure per square inch on the medium they traverse and spread the weight over a much larger are than tires do.

On top of the fact that cars will block the sunlight causing rolling voltage waves, cars drop oil and gas, not to mention dirt and garbage, and that as soon as a fully loaded tractor trailer slams on the brakes on these things, the corners in the hexagons will turn to dust and disintegrate.

Want to know why basic science education is so important? GOVERNMENTS ARE GIVING THESE PEOPLE MONEY. For a product that will NEVER deliver on its vision. Not NEVER as in it needs a solid business plan never, but as in NEVER as in material science and electrical engineering dictate that this will never work at a logical pricepoint. For the same money you can cover the interstates and generate more power for less money.

Will this work as a walkway? maybe. But why not instead cover the walkway and put the panels over the shadows caused by the people walking? And it will be cheaper, easier to maintain and will keep weather off the people walking under the panels.