Solar Roadways project given green light

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Following council approval Wednesday, the Solar Roadways demonstration project is on track for an autumn completion date.

Solar Roadways crew Scott Brusaw, Julie Brusaw and Alyssa Delbridge stand at the Jeff Jones Town Square, future site of the Solar Roadways demonstration project. Photo by Ben Olson.

The project, which is funded through a $48,734 Idaho Gem State grant, a $10,000 Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency contribution and $1,266 in city grant matching funds, will take up 150 square feet in Jeff Jones Town Square. Comprised of 30 hexagonal panels at a cost of $2,000 per panel, the project will be a pioneering effort for Solar Roadways technology. Given the viral fame the company has achieved, the demonstration has garnered worldwide attention.

“We have national media contacting us regularly looking for the install date,” city administrator Jennifer Stapleton told council members.

According to Stapleton, the project should be completed by late August to early September. With council approval secured, Solar Roadways staff will begin ordering parts and assembling the panels. From there, they’ll install the panels and tie them in to the electrical grid. The panels will include 56 clusters of six LED lights, which can be programmed to display a variety of messages, pictures or designs.

Stapleton said company co-owners Scott and Julie Brusaw want to ensure Sandpoint, as the Solar Roadways hometown, maintains a state-of-the-art demonstration project. To that end, Solar Roadways will replace the Jeff Jones Town Square panels whenever a new model is completed.

“From where they are as a company in terms of development, this will be an important project for them,” Stapleton said.

With Solar Roadways technology nearly ready for its public debut, the company is fielding interest from Missouri, the University of Idaho, Boise State University and dozens of other cities, companies and schools.