A small test program for a solar-powered walkway at a Route 66-themed rest stop in Conway, Missouri, remains in limbo after the state couldn’t reach an agreement with the Idaho contractor.
St. Louis Public Radio reports the Missouri Department of Transportation had concerns about whether Solar Roadways would meet its obligations after striking an initial agreement last year.
The station reported:
The partnership breakdown is not related to money, said Bob Brendel, special assignments coordinator with the Missouri Department of Transportation.
“This was less than a $100,000 project that was going to be funded with dedicated research funds, both federal and state. And the fact that we couldn’t reach a contract agreement had nothing to do with cost.”
The state was trying to finalize a deal with the Idaho company, which now appears to be focusing on projects closer to that state.
An email sent over the weekend to Solar Roadways to get its side of the story went unanswered.
MoDOT said it now may hire another solar company in France, but the details haven’t been worked out.
According to earlier reports, the solar panels would have been laid on a 12-by-20-foot section of sidewalk at the Route 66 Welcome Center. MoDOT officials wanted to see how well Solar Roadways’ panels generated electricity, melted snow and ice and stood up to freeze-and-thaw conditions.
If the panels performed well, MoDOT would have considered installing more of them in the parking lot. After that, the agency would have considered looking at real solar roadways.
The state anticipated reaching an agreement with Solar Roadways by late 2016. Apparently, there’s been a delay.
The Route 66 Welcome Center’s design pays homage to the Mother Road, including a neon sign inspired by the Munger Moss Motel sign in Lebanon, Missouri.
(Artist’s rendering of a solar road courtesy of Solar Roadways)
On Sunday (Nov. 5) St. Louis Public Radio updated its story with a not-that-illuminating statement by Solar Roadways:
He added it was “dissolved due to a variety of complex red tape factors.” The statement did not expand on those factors.
The company has a third contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation and has an upcoming installation in Colorado.
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https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/speed-bump-pops-missouris-solar-road-project
Sorry if this is too far afield from Route 66 … but here’s an earlier article that shows the Solar Roadways’ s demonstration installation — on a Sandpoint, Idaho, sidewalk — and mentions one of the manufacturing problems that the company has faced: a sealing process destroyed the panels’ electronic circuits!
https://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/front_page_slider/20170402/solar_roadways_shining_with_success