Idaho-based Solar Roadways recently launched the first public installation of its glass solar panels in Sandpoint, Idaho. The hexagon-shaped panels are installed as walkway pavers in a 150-sq-ft section of a downtown plaza. The company hopes to prove that not only can the panels handle heavy foot traffic, but also automotive traffic, including semi-trucks. The panels are reportedly designed to hold 250,000 lbs and have a surface similar to asphalt so that vehicles have the traction they need to stop. The panels are also equipped with microprocessors to connect with each other, vehicles, and a central control station, while also producing enough heat to keep roads clear of ice and snow.
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