"Solar FREAKIN' Roadways!" - will it really work?

[Paul Nellen]

Hi folks,

SPIEGEL ONLINE reported yesterday about a "freakin' solar roadways" nerds idea to cover literally all US streets, parking lots, sidewalks, etc. with solar power panels (hexagons) to generate electric power almost for free for 100's of years resp. the eternity:
http://www.spiegel.de/auto/aktuell/strassen-mit-solarenergie-amerikaner-starten-crowdfunding-a-974492.html (pls translate it by Google translation, if you don't read German)

The US nerds couple is just collecting a huge amout of $$ by an amazing crowdfunding spree, supported by an advertisement video (English) which is in the article, or here on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlTA3rnpgzU#t=247

My simple question: Does it really work? Is this a well-deliberated break-thru idea which can solve our energy problems forever, at least for the USA? Where is the catch?

Best regards,

paul

[Janaia Donaldson]

I've had the same doubts and questions. Particularly about infrastructure & maintenance it will require (incl. fossil fuels for the roads). I'm interested in any responses. 

Janaia

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[Dennis Brumm]

It won't work. It won't be done. I think this was first suggested about 2006 (I remember it awhile back, or something very similar). Always remember "if it sounds too good to be true, it isn't." If that ever happens to be wrong, so be it, but it generally never is.

Besides, it would not be a good thing to have unlimited energy. That just would continue the ecological disaster that is transpiring already.

The real major thing that matters is decreasing our numbers. The chance of us doing that "willingly" is about as likely as the chance of solar panels over roads.

I spend very little time thinking about these issues anymore, I think the inevitable was decided long ago.