Could a highway solar roof be a solution to underexploited road networks?

The Austrian Institute of Technology, Fraunhofer ISE, and Forster Industrietechnik are developing a new rooftop PV system concept for motorways. They aim to harness the potential of underexploited road networks to generate electricity. The highway solar roof could look like this. Image: SONNENKRAFT/HSH From pv magazine Germany

Is photovoltaic pavement a viable energy harvesting technology?

Recommendations for its future development are proposed in six aspects. As an emerging energy harvesting pavement technology, the photovoltaic (PV) pavement, which combines mature photovoltaic power generation technology with traditional pavement facilities, can make full use of the vast spatial resource of roadways.

Can a photovoltaic road roofing system reduce road noise?

The development, construction and monitoring of the prototype of a photovoltaic road roofing system will reveal both the specific challenges and beneficial secondary effects for PV noise control projects and remove barriers to implementation. The provision of electric energy is increasingly important for ongoing road operation.

Which solar cells can be used in PV pavement?

Moreover, some emerging solar cells, such as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) , organic solar cells (OSC) , and perovskite solar cells (PSC) , might be promising and competitive in the PV pavement field with lower cost in the future.

What is photovoltaic pavement?

To deal with this issue, the concept of photovoltaic (PV) pavement is emerging , . It regards the modified photovoltaic modules as one part of the road structure, equipped with the inherent function of electricity generation and vehicular traffic support. The core advantage of this technology is the non-extra land occupation.

Why do we need a PV road paving system?

Within a research project at Fraunhofer ISE, the structure of PV road-paving elements was developed to achieve an optimal electricity yield, a long lifetime and safety. Electricity from photovoltaic systems is an essential component of the energy transition. To generate sufficient energy, large areas have to be equipped with solar modules.