Agreed. If someone comes up with a wild idea that's just not feasible, then the proponents blame "big oil" for squashing it. Just the way it is. Truth be told "big oil" is one and the same as "big energy" and they are the leaders regarding alternative energies like solar, wind, biofuels, and the like.
Kinda like the zero point energy/perpetual motion folks. Yep, big oil squashed that one. Hey, I know, lets make cars that run on rainbows and unicorn farts! Let a few years pass, and when it doesn't come to fruition we'll blame big oil for squashing another. After all, some dude out there is still studying it and "has proven" it will work. Simply send him a check to invest in this great opportunity.
Anyway, this one is a cool idea. But the economics aren't there. And I can't imagine it being safe. Something to keep an eye on and encourage. But I'd foresee uses on more the local scale. Like a driveway, parking lot, etc. That could perhaps expand to public roadways in unique situations where the benefit/cost equation looks better. Say, the desert SW, where sun angles are better year round, clouds are less common, there's no shade from trees, corrosion is less likely, snow removal and other foul weather phenomena less troublesome, etc.
Of course, then I'd presume lining the right of way next to the road with traditional solar panels would likely yield more energy (based on better efficiency of single purpose solar panels, and the ability to angle the panels to face the sun), and do so at a far lower cost than tearing up an existing roadway to lay a new one with special materials.
