World's First 'Solar Highway' Lights Up French Town

World's First 'Solar Highway' Lights Up 

French Town 

France became the first country in the world to power the street lights  after inaugurating  the world's first 'solar highway'.

The little known  Normandy village of Tourouvre becomes part of history by opening the 'solar highway'. Tourouvre is a former commune in the Orne department in north-western France.

The one-kilometre road named a "Wattway" is built at a cost of  €5m.   

Image Courtesy: Wattway

It is covered with 2,800sqm of resin-coated solar panels that is hooked up to the power grid.

Northern France is not known for its beating sun but the region now hosts the world's first 'solar highway'. 

The idea is that roadways are occupied by motor vehicles only around 20% of the time providing vast expanses of surface to soak up the sun rays.

Solar panels have become increasingly popular in recent years as the cost of operating them has come down remarkably, making it cost competitive with traditional energy in certain regions.