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The World's First Solar Cycle Lane To Open In The Netherlands

g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
edited July 2015 in A Moving Train
I think this is a brilliant idea to save energy and to power traffic lights, street lights. I don't know if this idea would work in this country with our weakening infrastructure. It could work here in Florida where it's flat and plenty of sunshine and very few potholes on our roads.

image

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/10/netherlands-solar-bike-lane_n_6135090.html

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Post edited by g under p on

Comments

  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    What am I missing? I'm not sure what makes it a solar bike lane since the bicycles are still human powered? How are these better that regular solar panels angled toward the sun? I'm always glad to see solar power being developed, just not sure about the advantages here.
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  • IdrisIdris Posts: 2,317
    g under p said:

    I think this is a brilliant idea to save energy and to power traffic lights, street lights. I don't know if this idea would work in this country with our weakening infrastructure. It could work here in Florida where it's flat and plenty of sunshine and very few potholes on our roads.

    image

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/10/netherlands-solar-bike-lane_n_6135090.html

    Peace

    Cool,
  • benjsbenjs Posts: 9,148
    brianlux said:

    What am I missing? I'm not sure what makes it a solar bike lane since the bicycles are still human powered? How are these better that regular solar panels angled toward the sun? I'm always glad to see solar power being developed, just not sure about the advantages here.

    Two major advantages, Brian: publicity and bragging rights! Almost offsets the fact that they're parallel to the ground, when photovoltaic cells can only harness energy perpendicular to their surfaces.

    A question for you, Brian.. years ago, I read about a university trying to analyze the molecular structure of photovoltaic cells, to change them and make them spherical instead of the current flat sheet-like structures (the advantage being you'd have the top half of the sphere able to gather energy from almost any direction). Do you know what ever came of this?
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • IdrisIdris Posts: 2,317
    edited July 2015
    edit
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    benjs said:

    brianlux said:

    What am I missing? I'm not sure what makes it a solar bike lane since the bicycles are still human powered? How are these better that regular solar panels angled toward the sun? I'm always glad to see solar power being developed, just not sure about the advantages here.

    Two major advantages, Brian: publicity and bragging rights! Almost offsets the fact that they're parallel to the ground, when photovoltaic cells can only harness energy perpendicular to their surfaces.

    A question for you, Brian.. years ago, I read about a university trying to analyze the molecular structure of photovoltaic cells, to change them and make them spherical instead of the current flat sheet-like structures (the advantage being you'd have the top half of the sphere able to gather energy from almost any direction). Do you know what ever came of this?
    No, Ben, I don't but if you or I come across anything on this it would be worth posting. Sounds interesting.

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited July 2015
    Yeah, not sure I get it. I will go ahead and assume that the panels they put in work, parallel or not. I guess they are testing making streets and sidewalks into solar panels (i.e. can they take that kind of use)? If so, it's a fantastic idea. If we can make sidewalks and roads double as solar panels we'd have a whole shit load of extra power.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 38,599
    For one , its staying within existing human footprint . Better utilizing single purpose areas.
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  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,368
    brianlux said:

    What am I missing? I'm not sure what makes it a solar bike lane since the bicycles are still human powered? How are these better that regular solar panels angled toward the sun? I'm always glad to see solar power being developed, just not sure about the advantages here.

    More info:
    http://www.treehugger.com/solar-technology/solaroad-opens-first-solar-bike-path.html
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    It sucks to bicycle in wooden shoes ...

    Also ... Netherlands for a name??? Iceland is laughing at you, Netherlands. Dildo, Newfoundland is laugh ...

    image

    Dildo.

    Canada ...

    image
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    mickeyrat said:

    For one , its staying within existing human footprint . Better utilizing single purpose areas.

    Yeah, imagine if all of the pedestrian surfaces were solar panels? That would be fantastic... if they can be maintained, that is. If they are constantly breaking and shit, then probably not. So I'd say that's why they're testing it on a such a small section of path.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • benjsbenjs Posts: 9,148
    PJ_Soul said:

    mickeyrat said:

    For one , its staying within existing human footprint . Better utilizing single purpose areas.

    Yeah, imagine if all of the pedestrian surfaces were solar panels? That would be fantastic... if they can be maintained, that is. If they are constantly breaking and shit, then probably not. So I'd say that's why they're testing it on a such a small section of path.
    Or you could use the much more efficient method of placing photovoltaic cells on an angle to maximize the sunlight exposure. If the existing human footprint is so critical, mount them on top of the paths and let them provide shade this way too.

    With renewable energy sources with mediocre efficiency rates and high implementation costs, it's imperative to optimize placement strategies... Otherwise, as I said before, you're just doing this as a publicity stunt. While that press is positive exposure for the renewable energy movement, it encourages implementers to make the same mistakes and to neglect the same crucial placement strategies, in lieu of high visibility.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited July 2015
    benjs said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    mickeyrat said:

    For one , its staying within existing human footprint . Better utilizing single purpose areas.

    Yeah, imagine if all of the pedestrian surfaces were solar panels? That would be fantastic... if they can be maintained, that is. If they are constantly breaking and shit, then probably not. So I'd say that's why they're testing it on a such a small section of path.
    Or you could use the much more efficient method of placing photovoltaic cells on an angle to maximize the sunlight exposure. If the existing human footprint is so critical, mount them on top of the paths and let them provide shade this way too.

    With renewable energy sources with mediocre efficiency rates and high implementation costs, it's imperative to optimize placement strategies... Otherwise, as I said before, you're just doing this as a publicity stunt. While that press is positive exposure for the renewable energy movement, it encourages implementers to make the same mistakes and to neglect the same crucial placement strategies, in lieu of high visibility.
    Do you work in this field benjs? You make it sound like you are someone who actually designs or does research for solar energy, and/or someone who liaises with those who are trying to implement it. Is that the case?

    As for it being a publicity stunt... I think that is a loaded term that doesn't really apply here. This is a prototype. I'm thinking they are doing this solely to see how well these things stand up to wear and tear. That new ideas for alternate energy gets media attention is not at all surprising. Western Europeans are WAAAAY ahead of North America when it comes to this kind of thing, and the general public is actually interested in it, instead of scornful and pessimistic like we are here in N.A.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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