Weinberger, Hannah. “Solar Panels Could Replace Roads.” outsideonline.com. Outside, 9 May 2014. Web. 14 May 2014. http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from-the-field/Blazing-Trails-Solar-Panels-Could-Replace-Roads.html
This source talks about potentially using roads and highways as an energy source. Scott and Julie Brusaw of Sagle, Idaho have been developing solar panels that will be incorporated into America’s existing roadway system. This idea could be a viable source of energy for our society (upgrading our existing road’s functions and maintenance capabilities is also a plus), but it doesn’t take into account the carbon emissions that will still be produced from the vehicles utilizing these new solar panel roads. The concept, while promising, does sound like it’s verging on being more of a utopian dream rather than a realistic solution to an environmental problem. Although the concept of roads serving as an energy source is beneficial in respect to renewable energy sources, there is also a potential problem of over-publicizing these solar roads and generating more people wanting to drive on them, creating more harmful emissions than before.
