China opens solar-powered highway

Is this the future of our roads?

A solar-powered highway has opened in Shandong Province, in East China.

Although the road is just two kilometres long, it represents a leap forward in photovoltaic technology, the developers say.

The three-layer construction consists of a layer of insulation at the bottom, followed by a layer of solar panels and then transparent concrete on top.

The energy the road produces goes to the national grid, but can also power electric cars driving along it and melt any snow on its surface, it's claimed.

Xu Chunfu, chairman of the board at Qilu Transportation Development Group, which built the road, told the official Chinese press agency Xinhua:

"This is a massive integration involving different sectors. I think it's a forward-looking development and a groundbreaking revolution."