Solar so good for cycling path

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We all know cycling is a sustainable form of travel, but a Dutch project aims to actually create sustainable energy from a cycle path.

Dutch science research institute TNO is currently testing the feasibility of building solar panels into existing street architecture to create sustainable and free electricity from the sun.

As part of the project, TNO, with the agreement of North Holland’s regional government, will install solar panels on a stretch of cycling path near the town of Krommenie (which is close to Amsterdam) in 2012.

Panels built into paths

The Solar panels, which will be built into the cycle path, could generate electricity of 50 kWh per square meter per year, according to TNO. An average household uses about 3,500 kWh per year of electricity.

This electricity could then be used for street lighting, traffic systems, or for household use.

Thin 1cm solar panels (which will be protected by toughed glass) will be placed on top of thick concrete blocks.

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Hayes February 4, 2011 at 2:52 pm

Nice.

For a minute I actually thought this path featured thousands of tiny ‘bumps’ that, when they were depressed, contributed to generating electricity.

But that may well be a bit, well, er, bumpy.