Solar-Powered Roads to Solve the Problem with Snow-Covered Highways

Places where people often witness an abundant amount of snow in winter face a serious problem linked with roads. Billions of dollars are spent each year to remove the snow and repair the roads damaged by the weather.

In order to solve the problem, a researcher named Rajib Mallick proposed solar powered road systems. The systems would store the power of the sun to help clear streets and possibly provide an alternative source of electricity.

Mallick's idea is to embed pavement with fluid-filled pipes. The fluid, which would be resistant to freezing, would be heated by the sun and stored in an insulated chamber. When ice and snow hit the roads, the heated fluid could be released to melt the snow. The heat from the fluid could also be used to provide electricity to nearby buildings.

The project's cost is estimated at $12,500 for every 50 meters of pipe, plus annual maintenance costs of $1,000. But Mallick tells the system could pay for itself in six months while also providing enough electricity to heat 55 homes for one month a year.