Yield of cycle path with integrated solar panels is above expectations

The SolaRoad project, a cycle path with integrated solar panels, has an electricity yield that is far above expectations. 3000 kWh was generated in six months. There may be more cycle paths with solar panels.

The first results of SolaRoad have been published on the website of the province of Noord-Holland. According to the managers, 3000 kWh have been generated in six months by the panels on the surface of the cycle path. Converted, this means a yield of 70 kWh per m2 per year. That’s more than the upper limit calculated from lab tests. This makes SolaRoad a success according to the province of North Holland.

In addition to electricity yield, SolaRoad also examined whether a road surface inlaid with solar panels could function as a ‘normal’ cycle path. Shortly after the opening in November, damage was noted due to a peeling top layer. Due to the development of an improved coating, this should no longer happen in the future and SolaRoad would hardly be distinguishable from a normal bicycle path by cyclists.

SolaRoad is 70 meters long and is located in the North Holland town of Krommenie. The surface contains solar panels that are protected by a 1 cm thick glass top layer. So there is still a coating on top that should prevent damage. The cycle path was opened in November as a three-year pilot project and was followed with great interest, also by foreign media. There may be a number of bicycle routes with solar panels: these are currently being discussed.