Colas trials 'solar road'

Colas is in discussions with clients who have suitable sites where the highway services provider could trial its solar road solution, Wattway. Colas says that the solar panels that make up the photovoltaic road surfacing technology are lightweight and strong and can be installed on top of an existing road surface. The panels are only 7mm thick and are applied on the surface with a high performance resin. A glass bead resin coating is also applied to allow the surface to provide acceptable frictional perf
October 26, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
184 Colas is in discussions with clients who have suitable sites where the highway services provider could trial its solar road solution, Wattway. Colas says that the solar panels that make up the photovoltaic road surfacing technology are lightweight and strong and can be installed on top of an existing road surface.

The panels are only 7mm thick and are applied on the surface with a high performance resin. A glass bead resin coating is also applied to allow the surface to provide acceptable frictional performance without significantly affecting the efficiency of solar panels.

Carl Fergusson, Colas executive director of strategy and development, said the first trial is underway in France and UK trials will form part of about 100 world-wide. According to Colas, the power generated by Wattway has the potential to be used for highways and transportation infrastructure, such as variable message signs and street lights. But it also could be returned to the grid or used to supply energy to nearby homes and businesses. It is particularly well suited for smart-grids and short-circuit electricity production, as the need for new sources of energy and electric mobility continues to rise.

Each solar panel is an array of 15cm-wide cells making a very thin film of polycrystalline silicon that transforms solar energy into electricity. These extremely fragile photovoltaic cells are made tough by coating them in a watertight multilayer substrate composed of resins and polymers. This covering is translucent enough to allow sunlight to pass through but resistant enough to withstand even large-vehicle traffic.

The composite is also designed to adapt to the pavement’s natural thermal expansion. The surface that is in contact with vehicle tyres is treated to ensure skid-resistance equivalent to conventional asphalt mixes. Electrical connections can be installed at the edge of the carriageway or in ducts integrated in the panels themselves. Lastly, electronic circuit breakers ensure safety.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sustainable road development in discussion at Intermat
    February 27, 2012
    An in-depth congress is being held in conjunction with the Intermat exhibition. Visitors to the show will be able to find out about the latest developments in sustainable road construction by attending this congress, which is being organised by the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE).
    Read More
  • Germany builds its first major PPI autobahn project
    July 7, 2015
    Rebuilding of one of the oldest motorways in Germany is testing out the possibilities for public-private project road construction reports Adrian Greeman A freshly renovated section of the A8 Autobahn in southern Germany will be watched with some interest this summer as traffic begins driving along its rebuilt carriageway and additional third lanes. That is not because of any special road features, other than a distinctive reddish colour to its concrete surface, but because it is a first fullscale public
    Read More
  • In the fast lane at Indian F1 track
    June 21, 2012
    India’s new Formula 1 motor racing circuit, with its tight construction tolerances, demands considerable driving skill. More than 500 million people worldwide watched the first Formula 1 motor race in India's history. The drivers were thrilled by the new asphalt circuit with its numerous bends and the peripheral area around the new race track at Greater Noida near the capital New Delhi, which were built by machinery from German company Vögele (a member of the Wirtgen Group). Working with four Super 1800-
    Read More
  • Workzone safety protects workforce and drivers
    May 3, 2012
    Highway construction work zones are dangerous places, and anything that can improve safety is welcomed as Patrick Smith reports. The safe and efficient flow of traffic through work zones is a major concern to transportation officials, industry, the public, businesses, and commercial motor carriers. This is the view of the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which has developed the Highway Work Zone Safety Program to reduce the fatalities and injurious crashes in work zones, and to enhance traffic oper
    Read More

Highlighted Content