# Eco Parking Lots The 'Solar Roadways' Parking Lot Harnesses Solar Energy By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-04-27 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-roadways References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/solar-roadways-parking-lot/31780/) & [solarroadways](http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml) Solar Roadways is a project to develop and build energy-efficient road surface materials that make use of [solar energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michael-jantzen-2). Instead of asphalt, toughened [PV panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightfoot-scooter) are used, which include embedded lighting that can act as road markings and driver alerts, Each panel is equipped with PV cells, circuit boards, 128 programmable LEDs and a heating element to get rid of ice and snow. They are topped with 'super-strength' textured glass, which has proven to be highly sturdy and impact-resistant. The first prototype parking lot is comparable to a 3,600 Watt solar array, although the amount of power collected depends on the amount of sunlight exposure. Power and data cables are neatly organized in a 'cable corridor' alongside the parking lot, providing easy access to power companies performing maintenance or looking for data. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 88% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Energy-efficient Road Surface Materials:** Solar Roadways is developing toughened PV panels as road surface materials that harness solar energy, presenting opportunities for energy-efficient road construction and maintenance. - **Embedded Lighting for Road Markings:** The use of PV panels with embedded lighting in Solar Roadways' parking lots offers disruptive innovation potential for road markings and driver alerts, enhancing safety and visibility. - **Integration of Power and Data Cables:** Solar Roadways' 'cable corridor' design, which organizes power and data cables alongside the parking lot, opens up possibilities for streamlined maintenance and data collection in infrastructure projects. ### Where This Applies - **Infrastructure Construction:** The development of energy-efficient road surface materials by Solar Roadways creates disruptive opportunities in the infrastructure construction industry, revolutionizing road design and maintenance. - **Renewable Energy:** Solar Roadways' use of toughened PV panels to harness solar energy in parking lots contributes to the disruptive innovation in the renewable energy industry, promoting sustainable and efficient power generation. - **Smart City Technology:** The integration of power and data cables in Solar Roadways' designs fosters disruptive innovation potential in the smart city technology industry, enabling efficient infrastructure management and data-driven decision-making. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Grid-Connected Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-pavilion.md) - [Tree-Inspired Solar Panel Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarbotanic-energy-tree.md) - [Solar Energy Camping Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eo-canopy.md) - [Roof-Mounted EV Charging Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gosun-sun.md) - [Urban Solar Charging Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovia.md) - [Adaptive Parking Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/niels-bohr-car-park.md) - [Solar-Powered Cargo Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-van.md) - [Multifunctional Circular Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eve-park.md) - [Parking Spot Vehicle Chargers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/watt-ev-charger.md)