<p>A solar panel road, claimed to be the first in the world, has opened in France. The 0.6-mile (one kilometre) stretch of road in the small Normandy village of Tourouvre-au-Perche is paved with 2,880 solar panels, which convert energy from the sun into electricity. The panels cover an area of 2,800 square metres (30,139 square feet).<br /><br />It is hoped that the road – officially opened by France’s Minister of Environment, Segolene Royal – could eventually provide enough energy to power the village’s street lights.<br /><br />Some 2,000 motorists will use the solar panel road every during a two-year test period. The road is expected to produce 280 MWh of electricity a year. While the daily production will fluctuate according to weather and seasons, it is expected to reach 767 kWh per day, with peaks up to 1,500 kWh per day in summer.<br /><br />France’s ultimate goal is to cover 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) of roadways with solar panels.<br /><br /></p>
<p>A solar panel road, claimed to be the first in the world, has opened in France. The 0.6-mile (one kilometre) stretch of road in the small Normandy village of Tourouvre-au-Perche is paved with 2,880 solar panels, which convert energy from the sun into electricity. The panels cover an area of 2,800 square metres (30,139 square feet).<br /><br />It is hoped that the road – officially opened by France’s Minister of Environment, Segolene Royal – could eventually provide enough energy to power the village’s street lights.<br /><br />Some 2,000 motorists will use the solar panel road every during a two-year test period. The road is expected to produce 280 MWh of electricity a year. While the daily production will fluctuate according to weather and seasons, it is expected to reach 767 kWh per day, with peaks up to 1,500 kWh per day in summer.<br /><br />France’s ultimate goal is to cover 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) of roadways with solar panels.<br /><br /></p>