( CNN ) -- As a kid growing up in the mid-1960s , Scott Brusaw would spend hours setting up miniature speedways on the living room carpet so that he could race his favorite slot cars up and down the electric tracks . `` I thought that if they made real roads electric , then us kids could drive , '' recalls Brusaw , who grew to become an electrical engineer . `` That thought stuck with me my entire life . '' Fast forward to mid-2000s , with the debate over global warming in full swing , Brusaw 's wife Julie asked him whether he could build the electric roads he 'd concocted as a child out of solar panels . Brusaw initially laughed off the idea -- but not for long . With an airplane 's black box in mind , the couple started mulling over the possibility of creating a solar powered super-strong case that could house sensitive electronics . They explored the idea of embedding solar cells to store energy inside the case , LEDs to illuminate the road lines and heating elements to resist ice and snow -- soon after , the concept of Solar Roadways was born . The couple 's proposal calls for the traditional petroleum-based asphalt highways to be replaced with a system of structurally-engineered solar panels . These would act as a massive energy generator that could feed the grid during daytime . They would also recharge electric vehicles while moving , thus helping to reduce greenhouse emissions drastically . `` Our original intent was to help solve the climate crisis , '' says Brusaw . `` We learned that the U.S. had over 72,000 square kilometers of asphalt and concrete surfaces exposed to the sun . If we could cover them with our solar road panels , then we could produce over three times the amount of energy that we use as a nation -- that 's using clean , renewable energy instead of coal . '' The Idaho-based couple received their first government contract to work on the project in 2009 , and have been working to perfect it ever since . Initially , they joined forces with researchers to develop a super-strong textured glass that would offer cars the traction they require . Then , they fitted LEDs road markers to avoid destroying the cells by painting highway lines over them and heating to warm the surface and keep the system working . Now , the pair is hoping to raise enough funds on crowdfunding site Indiegogo to gear up production following the successful test of its latest prototype : a Solar Roadways parking lot laid next to their electronics lab . `` They [ solar panels ] prevented snow and ice accumulation this past winter and are producing the expected amount of power -- the parking lot is equivalent to a 3600W solar array , '' says Brusaw , who 's hoping to be ready for production later this year or early 2014 . `` The panels have passed load testing for vehicles weighing up to 125 tons without breakage , '' he adds . `` Our textured surface has been traction tested and can stop a vehicle traveling 128kph on a wet surface in the required amount of distance . '' Brusaw says solar road panels could theoretically be laid anywhere -- from motorways and parking lots to pavements and playgrounds . He believes that such a prospect could transform the existing motorway infrastructure , prevent accidents and ultimately help save the planet from an environmental disaster . `` In the U.S. , roughly half of greenhouse gases are generated by burning fossil fuels to create electricity , '' he says . `` Another 25 % comes out of our tailpipes , '' adds Brusaw . `` By replacing coal with solar and making electric vehicles practical -- which could lead to the end of internal combustion engines -- we could theoretically cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 % . Brusaw admits that `` in the beginning about half of the people thought we were geniuses and the other half thought we were nuts , '' before quickly adding that now `` the vast majority of reactions are positive and supportive . '' `` I think that many people expect their governments to solve the world 's problems , but the climate crisis is getting worse and our politicians seem baffled , '' he says . `` Many of our greatest technologies were created in someone 's garage . That 's where Solar Roadways was born and we think that we finally have a solution to the causes of global warming . ''
The Solar Roadways founders are raising funds to gear up production . The aim is to replace Asphalt roads with solar panels that can support cars . Their idea calls for a solar powered roadway made of durable textured glass . The system also involves built-in LED lights and heating elements .