These links make a number of points.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/183130-solar-roadways-passes-1-4-million-in-crowdfunding-just-short-of-the-56-trillion-required-but-not-bad-for-a-crazy-idea

http://jalopnik.com/why-the-solar-roadway-is-a-terrible-idea-1582519375

I think the most important point to think about is: why don't you see solar panels on every rooftop already? The reason is that they cost a lot relative to the power they produce. Most research into solar power at the moment is going into reducing the cost of the panels. The solar roadways plan, on the other hand, looks like it's been designed to maximise the cost of solar panels. Just one example - laying road with tarmac can be done at walking pace, but merely putting in the grids of bolt-holes necessary for solar roadways will take 12,500 man-hours per mile. The cost-estimate in that first link works out at nearly $200,000 per capita (and that's just for the raw materials, which, considering that asphalt is a waste product of oil refining, is a tiny part of the cost of current road-building). I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money kicking around.

Quote from Zed

These links make a number of points.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/183130-solar-roadways-passes-1-4-million-in-crowdfunding-just-short-of-the-56-trillion-required-but-not-bad-for-a-crazy-idea

http://jalopnik.com/why-the-solar-roadway-is-a-terrible-idea-1582519375

I think the most important point to think about is: why don't you see solar panels on every rooftop already? The reason is that they cost a lot relative to the power they produce. Most research into solar power at the moment is going into reducing the cost of the panels. The solar roadways plan, on the other hand, looks like it's been designed to maximise the cost of solar panels. Just one example - laying road with tarmac can be done at walking pace, but merely putting in the grids of bolt-holes necessary for solar roadways will take 12,500 man-hours per mile. The cost-estimate in that first link works out at nearly $200,000 per capita. I don't know about you, but I don't have that kind of money kicking around.

Agreed. Which is precisely why the technology needs to be developed a lot more through research in relatively inexpensive countries.

Here in CA, they literally give you solar panels if your roof faces the right direction. They are costly, but the state is handing them out because they pay companies who will install them for people.

They save the state money in electricity costs as well as generate energy for the companies as well. If you have any surplus energy it is sent directly to the company and you are compensated for the difference too.

IMO, Solar Roadways would be our generations 'rail road.' It'll generate jobs for hundreds of thousands while preserving the environment. It's something I would say that, if we do it right, our generation could be very proud of.

It'd be a bold leap for sure, but I think we don't have enough data to draw a firm conclusion yet.

Covering as much land as possible with efficient solar panels is a great idea in my opinion.