India’s ambition to integrate solar panels into roads shines with futuristic potential but the reality is bumpy. Solar roads promise dual-use infrastructure, generating clean energy while serving traffic. But trials across the world, and early examples in India like the National Highways Authority’s solar panels along road dividers, reveal challenges like low efficiency, dust accumulation, and fragility under heavy vehicles.
Experts argue that traditional solar farms still outperform solar roads in cost and durability. Countries like France and the Netherlands already witnessed failed solar road projects. Despite this, Indian innovators aren’t giving up experiments like solar canopies over highways or modular, removable solar tiles are under development.
India’s solar roads are less of a current solution and more of a visionary symbol urging better R&D before wide-scale adoption. Will they ever become practical? Maybe not soon. But they’re sparking conversations that might shape better solar innovation tomorrow.
