“People don’t want to do that (build houses or offices) near a nuclear power plant. So, there’s quite a big keep-out zone, and when you factor the keep-out zone into account, the solar panels put on that area would typically generate more power than that nuclear power plant.”
—Elon Musk
India is moving full throttle on solar pro-jects. This has set the stage for higher domestic manufacturing and thus lower cost of solar products. With consistent availability of sunlight throughout the year (for about 300 days), one of the most unique proposals is the implementation of solar surfaces for roads in India. This has the potential to generate massive megawatts of energy that can power numerous buildings and other infrastructure. However, developing solar panel roads is not easy and requires more clarity and planning on many aspects before implementation.
The benefitsA few years ago, ideas were invited to install rooftop solar panels on the roads of Gujarat to generate electricity from solar energy. One proposal came from the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) to install solar panels across 205km of the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway to generate 104 megawatts of electricity. The energy generated could be used to power the highway infrastructure, light the roads and also run a bit of the adjoining buildings. The project is in planning stage.
Roads with solar surfaces can immensely transform the Indian power situation. Bhargav Vyas, vice president, PV Power Tech, says, “Implementation of solar roadways should start from the highways in India. It will be easier to receive permission and work quickly in those areas. As the exposure to sunlight will be much stronger than in closed areas, energy generation will be substantial.”
This story is from the April 2018 edition of Electronics For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2018 edition of Electronics For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Smart WATER SERVING ROBOT
With the advent of artificial intelligence, robots find application in various sectors such as industry, homes, bars, restaurants, events, agriculture, and even space.
Multi-Purpose Wire-Loop SECURITY SYSTEM
This multi-purpose security system utilises wire loops to secure items. Wire loops can be employed in various ways for security applications such as luggage security, bike security, bicycle security, room security, and door security.
The Importance Of RADIATION PATTERN OF AN ANTENNA
Look beyond an antenna’s size and gain; its radiation pattern holds the key to its performance. Understanding this can unlock a whole new perspective on wireless communication
"Capitalise On 'CHINA PLUS TWO,' Where Products With Higher Value Addition BECOME THE FOCUS"
EPIC Foundation aims to transform India into an electronics hardware product nation by collaborating with governments, universities, design houses, and startups.
ADDING LOCATION TRACKING To The Wearable Interface Device
Here’s how you can add location tracking, without GPS, to the project for a smartwatch like HID with keyboard and touchpad, which was published in March issue.
"NATUREINSPIRED ADAS ALGOS Will Be MUCH BETTER Than Robotic Paradigm Algos"
Most of the ADASenabled vehicles of today function on algorithms (algos) inspired by robots used in a logistics setup. Can ADAS algos inspired by the human brain and nature be better? In a conversation with EFY's Mukul Yudhveer Singh, Gagandeep Reehal, Co-Founder, CEO & CTO, Minus Zero, illustrates this using the 'sunset mistaken for red light' example, shedding light on where India's Minus Zero is headed!
NEW EV POLICY: Will It Kill More Than Two Birds With One Stone?
With China taking the lead in electric vehicle production and sales in many global markets, can India’s new electric vehicle manufacturing policy encourage champion brands to set up shop in India? Can this policy be the turning point for India’s automobile industry’s bid to go global?
A Device That Enables SELLING UNUSED INTERNET DATA From Your Mobile Network
What if you could sell your remaining mobile data before the end of the month or even daily? Christophe Bureau, a Board Member of DotDot, in a conversation with EFY’s Mukul Yudhveer Singh, sheds light on what the Dot device offers beyond assisting users in selling their unused internet data
"EV INDUSTRY'S In The Compounding Stage Of BATTERY CELL TECHNOLOGY"
As sodium-ion battery packs gain attention in India, does this spell a bleak future for lithium-ion batteries? Furthermore, where does hydrogen stand as a fuel cell and combustion fuel? Dr Yashodhan Pramod Gokhale, CTO of Battrix, weighs in
ASSISTIVE AI: Semiconductor Design, Manufacture, And Workforce
Together, human intelligence and AI create a powerful synergy, highlighting the vital lesson for the semiconductor workforce: adapt to new technologies
