Solar Roadways: Science Fiction Becoming Reality

Solar roads are entering a new test phase that will see them installed along a portion of the iconic route 66. Solar Roadways is the brainchild of Scott and Julie Brusaw of Idaho.  It all started ten years ago when Scott, an electrical engineer and his wife Julie began to imagine how solar panels could be embedded into the road. The concept eventually incorporated LEDs that could illuminate highways, and replace road lines. These solar panels can also be heated enabling them to melt snow and ice. The panels used in olar roadways are made out of recycled glass and in addition to collecting renewable energy, the panels can even redistribute storm water.

A Response to Critics of the Solar Roadways Concept

While there is an abundance of positive response to the Solar Roadways concept, there has also been an avalanche of negativity that completely misses the point. As reviewed in a recent Global Warming is Real article, the concept of embedding solar panels into American roadways represents a powerful new approach to green innovation and finance.

Without paying heed to the benefits, many critics are focused on what they perceive as the project’s technological imperfections. Among their comments, they suggest the surface of a roadway with embedded solar panels would not be able to handle the stresses placed upon it, or that vehicular traffic and debris would seriously inhibit the ability of such roads to harvest the sun’s energy. Other criticisms state that the concept is hardly new and therefore somehow less worthy of interest. Some lament that we should be using roofs rather than roads to collect solar power.

Still others rue the cost. The creators of the Solar Roadway project have estimated the cost of embedding solar panels on American highways to be under $5 billion, while others claim it will cost trillions of dollars.

Solar Roadways’ Innovative Sun Powered Technology and Finance

Solar Roadways is a grassroots company that is a stellar example of a powerful new approach to business. Their business model is a perfect marriage between innovative technology and innovative finance. Solar Roadways are spearheading a new reality that levels the playing field and gives us reason to believe that we will find a way to meet our energy needs without fossil fuels.

Solar power was discovered over 170 years ago, but it was only in the 1950s that it became a viable, albeit expensive, technology. However, the high cost of producing solar cells meant that the concept remained in limited use up until recently. The explosion of interest in solar power has brought investment and research that has vastly improved the technology.

Video - Solar Roadways: Crowdfunding

This is the story of the creators of the solar roadway. They provide a long list of issues that can be resolved with solar roadways. They present their prototype and review their grassroots operation. They also make their pitch for a novel crowd-funding program that has already surpassed their goal of $1 million by raising more than $1.5 million.

Video - Solar Roadways: The Concept Explained

Solar Roadways is a revolutionary concept that embeds smart solar panels (made largely out of recycled materials) into roads. This concept will not only generate power, it will light roads and melt any snow and ice. Through embedded LEDs it can provide safer travel by providing warnings to drivers as necessary. It will also bury conduits for all forms of data cables and clean storm water. Most importantly, for a modest investment of under $5 billion, it will provide jobs and substantially reduce our footprint from burning fossil fuels.

Infographic - Purpose Driven Social Brands

Event - Fuel Cells 2014 Science & Technology

This event will take place on April 3 - 4, 2014, at the NH Grand Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam. Thousands of fuel cells are being produced annually and sold commercially in a wide range of applications, but continued research, both fundamental and applied, will be essential to help reduce production costs and increase durability.

Event - Fuel Cells Science and Technology 2014

This Grove Fuel Cell event will take place on April 3 - 4, 2014, at NH Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Thousands of fuel cells are being produced annually and sold commercially in a wide range of applications, but continued research, both fundamental and applied, will be essential to help reduce production costs and increase durability.

Event - Building Climate Solutions

Building Climate Solutions will take place on January 28-30, 2014 in Washington, DC. The release of the IPCC report on September 27th highlights critical issues to be addressed at the Conference. Join over 1,200 key individuals from many fields of sciences and engineering, government and policy, business and civil society to advance solutions to climate change.

Video - Elon Musk Dismisses Hydrogen Powered Cars?

At a recent speech in Munich, Germany, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk referred to hydrogen fuel cells as bullshit. The Motley Fool's John Rosevear diagrees with Musk's assessment and calls his comments "marketing" to "keep the confidence of his investors" As Rosevear explains, there are imperfections in current battery configurations for cars that make them less than perfect. This includes issues like weight, cost and the fact that the technology has not moved as rapidly as many of us had hoped. The issues associated with battery power are some of the reasons why many major automakers are actively exploring the possibilities of hydrogen fuel cells.

Recognizing Sustainability Leadership in Business

The horrendously irresponsible behavior of some corporations generates well warranted public mistrust, however, tarring all companies with the same brush is a gross injustice to the sustainability leadership shown by many firms.

For more than a decade, early adopters have been leading the charge to craft a more ecologically friendly world. Now those who led the way have helped that approach morph into a key success factor that adds value and provides a competitive advantage.

AECOM's Sustainability Leadership

AECOM is a global company that delivers solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural, and social environments. AECOM provides professional technical and management support services for public and private clients in 140 countries around the world. They are active in a broad range of markets, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, water and government.

AECOM views sustainability as helping clients, society and its operations address complex challenges by managing financial, natural, social and human capital that work together to advance human progress with less risk. With revenues of $8.2 billion during the 12 months ended March 31, 2013, AECOM demonstrates that being a good corporate citizen can also be very profitable.

Unilever: A Sustainable Corporate Giant

Unilever is an international consumer goods giant that is engaged in a wide range of sustainability initiatives. The company manufactures everything from ice cream to soap and in 2013 they announced that they had managed to make massive cuts in their carbon emissions, use less energy, significantly reduce waste, minimize water consumption, and increased the amount of sustainably sourced raw materials.

John Paul Selects: New Platform for Sustainable Products and Brands

John Paul DeJoria is the self-made founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and many other successful businesses. He is an entrepreneur who believes in helping people who produce products that are less harmful to the environment.

On July 16th, 2013 in Los Angeles, the Green Business Bureau's Jamie Clem presented iconic entrepreneur DeJoria, with the Visionary Leader award (an award which is made in the USA from recycled glass).

The new "Fusion Distribution Solution" business model known as "John Paul Selects" is a unique distributor of sustainable brands. All of the sustainable products offered adhere to selection criteria which are focused on "Conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources." Each brand and product is carefully vetted based on a number of rigorous criteria.

Event - VERGE (San Francisco) Where Tech Meets Sustainability

VERGE San Francisco will take place from October 14, 2013 to October 17, 2013 at the Palace Hotel.

This event brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and leading public officials to explore the opportunities for radical efficiencies created through technology advancements in energy, buildings and transportation.

2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia

The biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge is a platform to showcase the world’s most efficient electric cars. In addition to presenting leading solar technology the event also inspires young people to address the imperatives of sustainable transport.

Solar car teams from 23 countries are competing in one of the world's most prestigious and grueling sun powered car races. By the end of the race cars will have traveled a total 3000 kms through the Australian Outback. However, the event is about far more than a long distance car race. The Bridgestone World Solar Challenge showcases innovation, adventure and achievement and brings cutting edge renewable energy technology to the forefront in an effort to find a sustainable future for the planet.

Video - The Stella Solar Powered Family Car

The Solar Team Eindhoven (STE) of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) presented the world's first solar-powered family car. "Stella" is the first "energy-positive car" with room for four people, a trunk, intuitive steering and a range of 600 kilometers (373 miles). This is the car being entered by the student team in the Cruiser class of the World Solar Challenge that starts in Australia in October 2013.

Video - Solar Boat Tûranor as it Embarked on its Global Voyage

The Tûranor is an extraordinary boat which highlights the seemingly limitless capabilities of solar energy. The largest solar boat in the world set sail from Monaco at the start of a world tour aimed at promoting the use of sustainable energy. The Tûranor is now the first solar powered boat to successfully circumnavigate the globe.

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Video - The Solar Impulse Crosses the US Powered Only by the Sun

Video - The Solar Impulse Crosses the US Powered Only by the Sun

Watch the Solar Impulse as it flies from California on its journey across America. In 2013, the Solar Impulse became the only solar powered plane to fly across the country. This plane proves the extraordinary capabilities of solar power.

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Solar Powered Yacht Turanor Circumnavigates the Globe

At the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi Planet Solar unveiled the Turanor, the world's largest solar powered boat. As reported in Triple Pundit, this is the first ocean going craft to sail around the world powered entirely by solar energy.

The massive 8.5 ton yacht comfortably carries a crew of a half dozen and can accommodate up to100 people at a time.

It cruises comfortably at 5 knots with a maximum speed of more than 10 knots. Thanks to its lithium-ion batteries the boat can also sail at night.