You’ve probably seen or heard something about solar roadways, or as one promotional video puts it, “solar freakin’ roadways!” The bold idea to turn roads into solar generation infrastructure has captured the imagination of millions in recent weeks.

The concept is an example of the fascinating advancements in solar energy technology that are nudging our society ever closer to a clean energy future. From roof tiles that double as solar panels to $25 solar powered cell phone chargers, solar energy is becoming more affordable and accessible by the day. As solar panels get smaller, more powerful, and more versatile, they will start showing up all over the manmade world, maybe even on roads and sidewalks. In addition to expanding much-needed