Solar Roadways — and China would ultimately realize.
A primary factor for the usage of asphalt in road construction is its affordability and minimal upkeep. In contrast, solar panels do not meet those criteria when utilized as substitutes for road materials. This is before taking into account that these panels entail higher upfront and installation expenses, demand a significant amount of energy and resources for their production, resulting in a net negative impact initially, and alter the very design of roads — vehicles are not built to navigate on glass, and tires have little grip. Additionally, it is exceedingly improbable that the panel technologies could endure the traffic from commercial trucks, heavy machinery, buses, and other sizable vehicles.
For these reasons, the majority of initiatives focused on solar roadways have not succeeded, despite conventional solar panels contributing positively to various aspects of life.