The largest solar manufacturer in Turkey is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “walking on sunshine.”
The company — Ankara Solar — recently introduced a line of ‘walkable’ solar panels to European and U.S. markets.
Although the promise of solar ‘roadways’ all but vanished in recent years (due to high costs, safety concerns, and low durability), Ankara Solar believes there’s still endless potential for a more attainable option: solar flooring.
“At Ankara Solar, we are pioneering the future of sustainable building solutions with our cutting-edge PV floor technology,” explained an official product release on the company website.
“Our photovoltaic (PV) floor systems seamlessly integrate solar energy generation into the very fabric of your living and working spaces, transforming ordinary floors into extraordinary energy producers.”
As solar technology has evolved in the last decade, the main concern with solar roadways has been their inability to withstand pressure under enormous weight. This low performance caused the failure of the Waterway Solar Highway in Normandy, which debuted in 2016 and was demolished by 2020 due to unfixable cracks.
But Ankara Solar pledges that their technology is durable. Today’s highest-performing solar panels don’t need to withstand the rolling pressure of an 18-wheeler — but they can withstand the weight of human beings.
“With advanced materials and engineering, our PV floors are built to withstand heavy foot traffic, impacts, and abrasions, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability,” the press release continued.
Currently, Ankara Solar offers two standardized sizes of flooring: a 30-watt panel measuring 420 mm and a 120-watt panel measuring 820 mm. They are designed to be used for indoor and outdoor spaces, with a non-slip surface that resists “even heavy rains.”
“In an era where sustainability is paramount, our PV floors offer an elegant solution to reducing carbon footprints and promoting energy efficiency,” The company pledges.
“By integrating solar technology into your floors, you can maximize the use of available space while minimizing the environmental impact.”
The manufacturer imagines a future where their solar flooring may be integrated into “shopping centers, office buildings, homes, parks, and more.”
Although Ankara Solar’s focus is on residential and commercial flooring, solar-paneled public walkways have slowly become more common around the world, from Tampa, Florida to Barcelona, Spain.
In high-traffic areas, solar-powered sidewalks light up at night — even through power outages — to guide people home, all while powering the city at large.
Last year, the Dutch city of Groningen installed one of the largest solar footpaths in the world, one that stretched over 1,312 feet. The company that installed it — Platio — said that even bicyclists could ride across it.
“Platio solar pavers are doubly sustainable because they not only provide green energy but are made of recycled plastic,” Philip Broeksma, from council of energy from the municipality of Groningen, told PV magazine.
“And it makes double use of space: the solar footpath generates electricity, while people can simply and safely walk on it,” Broeksma continued. “It is an example of how to use space in the city in a smart and sustainable way.”
It’s not currently clear how much this solar flooring will cost, but as Ankara Solar ramps up production, time will tell if solar flooring becomes the norm for architects and home owners alike.
Header image via PV Floor / Ankara Solar