More people are adopting solar panels as a renewable energy option, and all they need is a rooftop. But why stop there? Optimizing angle and height on roofs does generate the most energy, but there is unused potential. Covering more surfaces while getting a potential future use for the piles of waste solar panels seems like a win-win scenario. Ankara Solar’s photovoltaic (PV) walkable solar panels might be the first step toward that goal.
Everything the light touches
Ankara Solar’s PV Floor solar panels are specifically designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, impacts, and abrasions. They are also resistant to water and dust, making them an option for any environment. These solar panels are ideal for closed spaces like shopping centers and parks. Their IoT integration and energy usage for nights and cloudy days permit non-stop powering.
By clicking play, you agree to YouTube's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Data may be shared with YouTube/Google.
An Ankara Solar spokesperson provided more details in an interview, sharing that walkable solar panels come in two sizes and operate at temperatures from -40 to 85 Celsius (-40 to 185 Fahrenheit). Since its successful launch in 2022 in Turkey and Greece, the company has expanded to Europe and the US.
Precedents
The idea of gathering solar energy off the streets is not entirely new. For example, Dutch Ooms Avenhorn Holding BV created a solution in 2007 to turn heat from asphalt into energy. Many have tried to harness this with actual solar panels since. US-based Solar Roadways has been developing its hexagon-shaped panels for over a decade. Other projects, too, started and failed quickly after. Besides the cost and failure rate, the idea itself was often to replace roads altogether, which was maybe too ambitious. Ankara Solar’s panels started small, and this is, perhaps, the key.
Before you go: Retrofitting Buildings for Climate Change by Painting the Roofs White
Even more than a traditional solar panel, walkable solar panels depend on the daylight hours, which vary geographically. The return on investment is estimated at around five years for PV Floors in Mediterranean countries like Spain. I am an optimist in these cases, and I still believe we can one day see a world where, coupled with other innovations such as Data Center Heat Export, a city can be self-sufficient cleanly. While the PV Floors may not be there yet, they can represent a solid step towards that goal.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by Christopher Isak with Midjourney for TechAcute.
Sources: Valerie Thompson (PV Magazine) / Ankara Solar / NBC News, AP
