Solar panels placed beneath transparent materials create roads that can power lighting systems and vehicles.
China’s autonomous vehicle technology has made another significant leap with the testing of solar-powered roads. These roads are capable of charging vehicles while providing additional useful information to drivers during operation.
The smart road is constructed with numerous solar panels located beneath a layer of transparent material. Additionally, the road surface is equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, traffic density, and load capacity.
Solar panels placed under transparent materials. (Photo: Bloomberg).
The solar road is 1,080 meters long in Jinan, Shandong. According to Qilu Transportation Development Group, this stretch generates enough electricity to power all the lights on the highway and supply 800 households. Each day, approximately 45,000 vehicles travel on the solar road.
Qilu Group stated that they aim to create a road that not only provides electricity but also meets the advanced needs of future vehicles. According to the Chinese government, by 2030, autonomous vehicles will account for about 10% of all vehicles. With current technology, Qilu aims to offer users more accurate mapping systems and the ability to charge vehicles even while they are in motion.
The test road stretches over 1 km. (Photo: Bloomberg).
The leader of Qilu Group, Zhou Yong, mentioned that the current highway serves only one function: to provide a passage, which he referred to as generation 1.0. “We are researching generation 2.0 and 3.0, with much more capability,” he stated.
However, the completion timeline for the entire smart road has not yet been announced. The cost for the test section is approximately $1,112 per square meter, which is considered quite high and needs to be reduced to around $477 for broader adoption.
