With over 64 million kilometres of roads and highways in the world these ribbons of black seem like a logical place to start when converting the world to renewable energy. But while it may sound like a simple idea there are many engineering challenges to tackle before cars and trucks can roll down solar highways.
Engineers in China have decided that a good idea is a good idea and have begun construction of the world’s first solar expressway by converting 2 kilometres of the Jinan South Ring Expressway into a PV electricity generating expressway. Smaller solar roads have already been tested in France and within Jian South city centre itself but this is the first expressway or highway.