Asphalt not only make way for automobiles to glide smoothly and quickly. He also initiated to collect the sun or solar energy. That energy is then converted into electrical energy that can be utilized for various purposes.

The idea came because the asphalt is often exposed to sunlight. The proof, though it was night, the asphalt was still warm. The desire to collect energy utilize asphalt the greater because he was in various places!

Research use asphalt to collect solar energy had been tried by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2006.

The trick, as described by David A Todd, senior engineer and trainer at CEI Engineering Associates, Inc., in buildipedia.com, heat energy is collected through solar panels placed under a layer of asphalt. Furthermore, heat energy is converted into electricity. Further, the optimal point the heat was about two inches below the asphalt surface.

It is not easy
Although the idea was considered a genius and seemed simple, pewujudannya not easy. The question arises, how the treatment process, for example, if we want to replace your solar panels? If asphalt is often dismantled, the condition is certainly interfere with the smooth traffic.

The question was raised by Gregory W. Perry, PE, Senior Project Engineer for Flower Mound, Texas, when WPI announced the development of the idea first annual symposium on the International Society for Asphalt Pavements in Zurich, Switzerland.

Gregory even then catapult ideas and solutions. According to him, better energy collection is done in places that are rarely used asphalt. For example, an area which rarely stand on the edge of the runway at the airport, shopping centers or malls, and sidewalks.

"The parking lot can also be used for this. Asphalt was damaged by hot tires and the engine plus the sun. Unfortunately, the energy is wasted just like that, "said Perry. He also explained that the road can not be used is a toll road and street in the crowded city.

Three layers
More extreme ideas were raised by Solar Roadways, a small company in Sagle, Idaho. The owners, Scott and Julie Burshaw, claims already made prototype of heat recovery on the highway.

Solar Roadways highway version consists of three layers. Top or first layer, called the Roadway Surface Layer with transparent surfaces (like plastic or glass) of hard, dense, and contoured. Therefore, sunlight can penetrate into the layer that collect heat energy.

The second layer, heat controllers obtained while monitoring the quality of the panel and the device (let you know that a number of components have to be replaced). Meanwhile, the third layer or base (bottom) is a complete solar panel with a mechanism to continue the energy to the user.

More steady again, the first layer is also fitted with LEDs as markers or message for road users. Writing "advanced" or "stop" can be listed there.

This first layer was comprised of several high-tech components that can measure the sensitivity of the load while controlling the way energy is acquired. Great idea!