Although there is some overlap in design features, Solar Roadways’ panels are perhaps more innovative than SolaRoad’s. The US couple’s hexagonal panels are studded with LED lights to make road lines and signs, and also feature heating elements to melt ice and snow.

For the next three years, SolaRoad will test out the path in order to gauge how much energy it is capable of producing and assess safety under different weather conditions. Because it can’t be adjusted to the position of the sun, the panels will generate approximately 30% less energy than those placed on roofs. However, the team anticipates that eventually it should be sufficient to power traffic lights, road lights, houses and electric cars. TNO’s Sten de Wit had a chat with the Guardian about the project, and he believes that up to 20% of the Netherlands’ 140,000 kilometers of road is suitable for conversion into solar roads, which could rake in a lot of energy.

As it’s still early days, production costs are unfortunately rather hefty. The pilot cycle path came with a $3.75 million (€3 million) price tag, which was mostly put up by the local authority. However, as the technology develops and production gets scaled-up, the price should drop.