An article (in French) in France Info announcing a project in France which aims to create 1000 km of roads surfaced with solar panels is arousing interest....of big public works companies. A tender has been launched.

Previously Colas, a subsidiary of Bouygues, had announced the development of Wattway, a patented paving containing polycrystalline solar cells.

The main questions that spring to mind, in no particular order, concern wear, expansion, lifetime, costs and grip for vehicle tires. These seem not to affect the optimism of the news releases. The fragile solar cells themselves are protected by a multilayer composite which compensates for thermal expansion of the road, and resists vehicular loads. The solution is touted as durable and safe.

If successful, a town of 5000 inhabitants could be powered by a stretch of one kilometre. To supply an average household (without heating) only needs around 20 m² of this paving. installation of this photovoltaic paving is as promisi...