Paris road solar power system

Global Construction Review states France's minister of ecology and energy, Ségolène Royal, announced last week the country's government has set its sights on paving 1,000km of roads with Wattway solar panels in the next five years.

It seems the solar road concept is about to be implemented in a very big way in France. Last October we reported on Wattway, a solar road product unveiled by Transport infrastructure specialist Colas that was developed in partnership with the French National Solar Energy Institute.

The road's construction is part of a push by French ecology officials to install 1,000 kilometers of solar roads throughout the country within the next 5 years. Constructed at a cost of €5 million (about $5.2 million), directors view the project not as a finished product but as the next step in the development of the technology.

If the project should go ahead and achieve its full potential, it could supply 5 million people with electricity; approximately 8% of France's population. Wattway solar panels are glued onto existing roads rather than replacing the road surface, such as is the case in another product we've covered in the past; Solar Roadways.

The plan to cover 1,000 km of existing road with these panels was announced this week at a press conference by Ségolène Royal, France's minister of ecology, sustainable development, and energy, as reported by Global Construction Review.

It's too noisy, falling apart, and doesn't even collect enough solar energy. The French government invested in building a solar road to a rural town in 2016. The project has not delivered on its goals, according to French newspaper Le Monde. Solar streets face significant infrastructure challenges if they want to succeed.