[ukandy]

> The tiles will be mostly installed on parking space near commercial centers..

What would possible block the sun from reaching these solar cells...

> I find it actually a great idea, especially with more electrical cars looking for plugs at those locations.

Oh yeah.

[pi-err]

Their PR is unfortunately low quality and low on facts, though critical thinking would also try to look at the "why".

The futur or "solar roads" is clearly not highways and express lanes. It's slow speed, commercial areas - as badly presented by Colas.

For the context, land use in Europe is so different than in the US. Suburbs don't crawl as much and space is more of a premium.

Thinking at a really local level, for a new retail space like this: https://goo.gl/maps/BRkQ5qNyaQU2 - the fields around the center are either here to stay or would be built on.

About 80% of this commercial space is parking lots. It's wasted space. Why not use it to produce power? Why use additional fertile or constructible terrain to add solar tiles?

Since 2015, businesses in France also have to build either gardens or solar panels on their rooftops (new constructions and redevelopments). So that's turning 90% of space used into something productive or "user-friendly". Again why not do it?

The pricing of those solar tiles is interesting: 6 euros per max watt produced on location. Cheap enough - and you get free power for parking users.

It's also great PR for solar to get inserted in people's lives at such locations.

[ukandy]

> About 80% of this commercial space is parking lots. It's wasted space. Why not use it to produce power?

You didn't get my point obviously. Parking spaces are to park on. When a car is on a parking space, it's blocking the light from tiles under it and also casting a shadow.

> Why use additional fertile or constructible terrain to add solar tiles?

Because they won't have cars park on them. They will also be at an optimal angle and cleaner.

[JoeAltmaier]

'Solar roads' clearly have no future, as they are a preposterous idea put forth by nobody with any idea about how solar works.

[petra]

Its pretty easy to use parking spaces with solar , no need for solar roadways.

[rconti]

Or they could COVER the parking lot with these panels, which would not only generate more electricity, but would also be far more durable, provide shade/cover, and reduce the need for air conditioning systems to be run when because you'll no longer be climbing into a hot car.