By Tanya Cronin

First ever Solar Roadway to be installed at TRU

Mar 14, 2016 | 4:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — The first ever Solar Roadway in the country, is about to be installed at Thompson Rivers University. 

The Solar Compass will allow a walkway to gather enough energy from the sun, to produce about 10,000 Kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The project will feature thick glass plates, that will be installed outside the university’s Arts and Education building. Professor Michael Mehta says the pilot project will put TRU on the map for sustainability. 

“If you look at the way in which the world is evolving and looking at renewable energy, we have the ability to embed technology in existing infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and we just have to take advantage of all of this infrastructure. The other advantage in solar roads is you can include things like fiber optics, lighting, network services, signage, smart sensor technology, and potentially you can charge electric vehicles as they drive,” says Professor Michael Mehta, Department of Geography and Environmental studies.

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The project, which is expected to cost close to $100,000 will break ground over the summer months and be ready for students to return to school in the fall.