Introducing the world's first solar powered bike path - solar powered street lights
The so-
The bike path known as "SolaRoad" consists of concrete modules for each measurement 2. 5 by 3. 5 metres (
11 feet by 8)
, Embedded solar panels covered by tempered glass.
In order to prevent accidents, the glass is given special non-slip surface.
For now, solar cells are putting the power they generate into the state grid, but future plans include using the energy to power street lights.
Sten de Wit, a physicist who helped develop the project, said that electric bicycles and cars will one day be able to use contactless charging directly from roads or bicycle lanes to refuel.
"Our idea is that we have about 140,000 kilometers in the Netherlands (87,000 miles)
Roads are much bigger than all the roofs add up, "De Wit told AFP.
"When we apply this product not only to bike paths, but also to other roads used by cars, its real potential is released," De Wit added . ".
SolaRoad spokesman jememieke van Dieren said that the road has been working for 16 days, during which it generates 140 KW hours of electricity, equivalent to about 140 washing machines
So far, the project has cost 3 million euros ($3. 7 million)
But SolaRoad declined to say what the cost could be per kilometer.
Dutch Minister of Economy, Henk Kamp, the first 70-metre (230-feet)
On Wednesday, a pilot extension of bicycle lanes on a busy provincial bike route north of Amsterdam.
"The Netherlands is very ambitious in terms of sustainable energy.
"This innovation is an important part of it," Kamp told AFP afterwards . ".
Small country of 17 million-
About 18 million bicycles-
Kamp said it hopes to double sustainable energy use by 2020 and achieve "energy neutrality" by 2050 ".
De Wit said SolaRoad will be tested on a road carrying about 2,000 cyclists a day in the next two years.
The goal is to sell solar roads on Dutch roads over the next five years because of the number of electric roads
More and more electric cars and bicycles.
"We are very confident that within five years we will have a product that can be applied on a large scale," De Wit said . ".