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Make the SR51 Arizona's "Solar Highway"
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Forwarded to PlanPHX Leadership Committee and appropriate city department
Make the SR51 Arizona's "Solar Highway"
my very crude rendering of the 'solar highway'
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Between approximately Highland & Bethany Home Rd the SR51 is sunken down quite a bit, between these staggered sound walls. As I drive it often, I've gotten to thinking about how it would be the perfect place to put a solar canopy over the highway.

Support beams could be built into the side walls, and the concrete divider. Highway lights and signage could be hung from the bottom of the solar panel support system.

This area is a good fit for something like this, because a canopy doesn't block any mountain or business views, because there really aren't any views there.

The solar panels obviously would produce power, but with thousands driving under them each day, they'd work as sort of a passive advertisement to go green/solar. Additionally, less sun hitting the hot black top means fewer cars over heating and a slight reduction in the urban heat island.

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Idea Collaboration by  MindMixer