Question:  I just saw an article about solar roadways, where the asphalt pavement is replaced by solar panels.  The inventor claims if every highway were repaved with solar panels, it would generate enough power for the entire country.  http://www.gizmag.com/solar-panel-roads/12780/

Answer:  This topic is a bit beyond the scope of this blog, but I'll post it because it is such an exciting sounding idea.  It appears there is a lot of materials science research to be done.  The article does not talk about snow plows as an issue to be surmounted, but you gotta love the inventors can do attitude.  In the meanwhile, there is another take on solar highways that has seen its first pilot deployment in Oregon.  See http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/OIPP/inn_solarhighway.shtml.  There are also lots of solar powered electrical devices being installed along the highways in many states, such as solar powered electric car recharging stations in San Jose, surface parking lots covered with solar panels in Sacramento, and solar powered yellow flashing lights near schools in many cities.