Hot Asphalt, Better Solar Collector Than Solar Panels

Researchers in Massachusetts are working on a technique to convert the heat absorbed by asphalt into usable energy via water pipes. The work says that the asphalt roads may be better to collect the same energy that solar panels.

They say the parking lots and roads that are all day cooking in the sun are actually solar energy collectors, and the amount of land with asphalt minimizes the low efficiency of the system. We just need a way to transfer that energy to useful energy on a large scale.

The researchers note as asphalt stays hot even when it is already dark, so you can continue to generate energy when solar panels can no longer do it. A heat exchanger system may be part of new road construction and improvements to adopt this system.

Work continues on the system, as in cities with frost is necessary to put an antifreeze system to work in the winter.

Share and Enjoy: