Preparation and performance study of solar pavement panel based on transparent Resin-Concrete

Abstract

In order to realize the transformation and utilization of renewable energy, a new solar pavement module, which can harvest solar energy using often uncovered pavement/road surfaces, is proposed and investigated in this paper. The module consists of a protective layer made of transparent resin-concrete and a built-in solar panel. The effect of different gradations and resin quantities (five gradation type of the glass aggregate, three kinds of resin content) on the optical properties, volume index, and mechanical properties are studied, and the pavement performance. Then a prototype of the module is built according to the optimized mix ratio. The pavement performance and photoelectric performance of solar pavement module were tested. Finally, the glare performance, sustainability of the transparency was conducted, and the economic-environment benefits were evaluated. The observed results of mix ratio design of optimal show that both the gradation type of the glass aggregate and the resin quantity have a significant impact on the optical properties and the mechanical properties but little effect on the volume index. Both the optical properties and compressive strength of the transparent resin-concrete improve with increasing resin fraction, while its density and void-ratio degrade. Considering material properties and cost, the optimal resin content is 43.7%. It was proved that solar pavement module had excellent high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, good water stability, good impermeability, and good skid resistance. The daily power generation of the solar pavement panel module is 0.152 kWh/m2, which is about 16.28% of the original solar panel. The surface glare of transparent resin-concrete is 1.3 ∼ 1.5 and 1.7 ∼ 5.9 times than that of concrete and asphalt pavements, respectively, and the light-transmission decreases with increasing surface pollutants. The LCOE of transparent resin-concrete solar pavement is 0.175 $/kWh, and can bring considerable economic, and emission reduction benefits.