The Solar Walk Literally Gathers Energy from the Ground Up
Michael Hines — October 12, 2013 — Eco
References: gwtoday.gwu.edu & gizmag
George Washington University and Onyx Solar have teamed up to create the Solar Walk. The Solar Walk is a small pathway made entirely of photovoltaic panels that are strong enough to be walked on. The pathway measures 100 square feet and is made up of 27 panels capable of producing 400 watts of power.
Each panel has an anti-slip surface and can hold up to 882 pounds of person. The pathway may not be that big, but it was more or less designed to show off what Onxy Solar's walkable panels could do. Many people think solar panels solely belong on roofs or in backyards, but sidewalks and parking lots spend all day baking in the sun as well. Walking paths covered in solar panels could be the next big thing when it comes to discretely gathering solar energy.
Each panel has an anti-slip surface and can hold up to 882 pounds of person. The pathway may not be that big, but it was more or less designed to show off what Onxy Solar's walkable panels could do. Many people think solar panels solely belong on roofs or in backyards, but sidewalks and parking lots spend all day baking in the sun as well. Walking paths covered in solar panels could be the next big thing when it comes to discretely gathering solar energy.
Trend Themes
1. Walkable Solar Panels - Creating pathways made of photovoltaic panels that generate energy while being walked on presents disruptive innovation opportunities for sustainable infrastructure.
2. Solar Energy Collection - Exploring the potential of utilizing sidewalks and parking lots to gather solar energy discreetly through walkable panels opens up new possibilities for renewable energy solutions.
3. Diversification of Solar Applications - Expanding the use of solar panels beyond traditional installations such as roofs and backyards to include walkways and parking lots paves the way for innovative ways of harnessing solar power.
Industry Implications
1. Renewable Energy - The development of walkable solar panels offers disruptive innovation opportunities for the renewable energy industry, particularly in the realm of sustainable infrastructure.
2. Infrastructure - The integration of walkable solar panels into sidewalks and parking lots presents new possibilities for sustainable infrastructure development and green urban planning.
3. Construction - The installation of walkable solar panels requires expertise from the construction industry, creating potential for disruptive innovation in building materials and techniques.
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