On April 21st, 2014 (the day before i started my 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge) some super engineers from Idaho Scott and Julie Brusaw launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign after they invented one of the most kick ass things I have ever seen.
Solar Freaking Roadways!!!!
Yes, solar freaking roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, playgrounds and more.
Here is the info from them:
Solar Roadways is a modular paving system of solar panels that can withstand the heaviest of trucks (250,000 pounds). These Solar Road Panels can be installed on roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, bike paths, playgrounds… literally any surface under the sun. They pay for themselves primarily through the generation of electricity, which can power homes and businesses connected via driveways and parking lots. A nationwide system could produce more clean renewable energy than a country uses as a whole (http://solarroadways.com/numbers.shtml). They have many other features as well, including: heating elements to stay snow/ice-free, LEDs to make road lines and signage, and attached Cable Corridor to store and treat storm water and provide a “home” for power and data cables. EVs will be able to charge with energy from the sun (instead of fossil fuels) from parking lots and driveways and after a roadway system is in place, mutual induction technology will allow for charging while driving.
The concept is pure genius, perfectly timed, and well vetted. Back it right this freaking second on IndieGoGo!
But one of the most intriguing things about this is that I first heard about the project about 7-8 days ago. I watched the original boring video and was very impressed and loved it. I posted it on social media. And then I forgot about it. Here is the original video. Watch it now start to finish. I’m serious I will wait.
Sorry to wake you up after your nap. But holy moly that is one hell of a boring video. Information packed but dead boring and unmotivating right? That was clearly done by or for engineering focused people (who ROCK!)
So then a few days ago a marketing rock star took it upon himself to make THIS video. He boiled it down to the heart and core of the whole thing.
Solar Freaking Roadways!!!!
See the difference?! When i first looked at the indiegogo campaign they were at $25k raised. After this video came out and they got a lot more other press too they are now at over $600k! It’s NOT because of marketing, it’s the product that rocks. But the solar freaking roadways video face slapped you so hard it finally broke through the clutter in our minds and people started paying attention.
This is a superb example of where engineering shines (making the killer product) and where marketing shines (making the product accessible and understandable) Both are needed, both rock and both together in synergy are the perfect dream team.
Back it right this freaking second on IndieGoGo! As of this writing they are getting backers at the rate of about $10k an hour. Cause it rocks.
