Photovoltaic — from roof to road

Solar power generation is seeing a revolutionary change that can herald power generation at multi-kilowatt levels soon. This is in reference to the AP news and photograph published in an English newspaper on 12th July.

Big things can come from pioneering and interesting discovery. The road-top solar panel pioneered by the Brusaw couple, in Idaho, USA seems to become a potentially booming business in a short while.

Apart from the US Federal Highway Administration giving them US$ 850,000, they are being financially helped by many people, impressed by the great possibilities that a roadway laid solar power panel can bring in getting environment friendly electric power needing no polluting conventional fuel, or the dangerous radiation hazard of atomic power generation.

This seems to be a potential advantage for Bangladesh, particularly for rural areas as the investment will not only help in improving our roadways but also provide us with pollution-free power. No expensive fuel will be needed for power generation. Following in the footsteps, there will be development of the conventional battery back-up and inverters and capacitors of larger sizes to transmit the solar power generated with our rated frequency and voltage rating prevalent. This important development heralds a fantastic opportunity for Bangladesh. It must be religiously followed up by our authorities so that this system can be brought and installed as soon as it is commercially available.

Engr S A Mansoor

Dhaka