Pavement tiles that produce solar energy? GSU researchers performed it!

Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University have developed solar tiles that can be laid as pavement. They would produce renewable energy just under everyone’s feet.The tiles can be used in any outdoor pedestrian walkway exposed to daylight like public squares, pavements, schools and many other places. The individual solar floor tiles are epoxy-based rather than glass, and are supported by a recycled plastic frame with an embedded concentrator lens and photovoltaic cells. They are also equipped with an innovative cooling mechanism.This mechanism allows the tiles to function in a hot climate as well. The team won $100k funding for the experiment as a reward. Currently the researchers have built a prototype, which will be developed further. A pilot pavement is also expected to be trialled in Glasgow soon.