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Quixote1818

(28,950 posts) Sun Nov 9, 2014, 10:11 PM Nov 2014

13

Netherlands Is The 1st Country To Open A Solar Road For Public Use (bike lane)

The world’s first solar bike lane is soon to be available for use in the Netherlands! The bike path that connects the Amsterdam suburbs of Krommenie and Wormerveer is a 70-meter stretch of solar-powered roadway set to open for the public on November 12th, 2014.

The new solar road, which costs €3m (AUD$4.3m), was created as the first step in a project that the local government hopes will see the path being extended to 100 metres by 2016.

More complimentary plans are also on the table as the country intends to power everything from traffic lights to electric cars using solar panels.

More: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/11/09/netherlands-is-the-first-country-to-open-solar-road-for-public/

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

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Netherlands Is The 1st Country To Open A Solar Road For Public Use (bike lane) (Original Post) Quixote1818 Nov 2014 OP

So it's not even as long as a football field. I'm not sure that qualifies as a "road". Electric Monk Nov 2014 #1

That's very smart of them. I hope to see some follow-up on how it works out. n/t CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2014 #2

it seems like a waste when there is still so much roof space available Travis_0004 Nov 2014 #3

Every step made to implement solar power is a plus. shraby Nov 2014 #4

^^This!^^ BrotherIvan Nov 2014 #5

What exactly is being powered here? Recursion Nov 2014 #6

Electric Monk

(13,869 posts)

1. So it's not even as long as a football field. I'm not sure that qualifies as a "road".

Reply to Quixote1818 (Original post)

Sun Nov 9, 2014, 10:14 PM

Nov 2014

I guess it's a step in the right direction though. I wonder how well it'll withstand snow and ice clearing?

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,648 posts)

2. That's very smart of them. I hope to see some follow-up on how it works out. n/t

Reply to Quixote1818 (Original post)

Sun Nov 9, 2014, 10:15 PM

Nov 2014

Travis_0004

(5,417 posts)

3. it seems like a waste when there is still so much roof space available

Reply to Quixote1818 (Original post)

Sun Nov 9, 2014, 10:37 PM

Nov 2014

Plus, solar on roofs are cheaper, and can be angled towards the sun.

shraby

(21,946 posts)

4. Every step made to implement solar power is a plus.

Reply to Travis_0004 (Reply #3)

Sun Nov 9, 2014, 11:07 PM

Nov 2014

The more ideas in the pool is to the good.

BrotherIvan

(9,126 posts)

5. ^^This!^^

Reply to shraby (Reply #4)

Mon Nov 10, 2014, 02:02 AM

Nov 2014

And roads are public, so the power is used to power public things such as street lights. What's to complain about?

Recursion

(56,582 posts)

6. What exactly is being powered here?

Reply to Quixote1818 (Original post)

Mon Nov 10, 2014, 02:16 AM

Nov 2014

Or is it just a bike path made of solar panels that go to the main grid?

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