1. Introduction

Solar walkways refer to a new type of urban infrastructure that integrates photovoltaic power generation technology with sidewalks, bike paths, plazas, and other ground‑based facilities. This includes embedding PV modules directly into the pavement to create power‑generating walkable surfaces, as well as installing solar canopies above walkways to provide shade and power for the space below, and using solar energy to supply lighting and safety indicators for the walkways. As global demand for renewable energy continues to grow and PV technology matures, solar walkways are moving from the conceptual verification stage to large‑scale practical application. In 2022, several landmark projects in this field marked a new phase of global promotion for solar walkways.

2. Representative Global Solar Walkway Projects in 2022

2.1 Qatar: SUNPave Walkable Solar Tiles at the World Cup

The 2022 Qatar World Cup was not only a football feast but also a stage for showcasing renewable energy technologies. SUNPave, a company co‑founded by former employees of Texas A&M University at Qatar, publicly demonstrated its walkable photovoltaic tiles in the ticket area of the Al Thumama Stadium. The project was one of the winners of the "Challenge 22" innovation programme, which encourages innovators to develop breakthrough technologies and solutions for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The core innovation of SUNPave tiles lies in their exceptional mechanical strength – the specially designed solar tiles can withstand the weight of golf carts and even fire trucks while maintaining stable power generation performance. At the Al Thumama Stadium, SUNPave installed approximately 50 square metres of tiles, generating enough electricity to meet the daily needs of a three‑bedroom apartment (including air conditioning, lighting, and a refrigerator). During the tournament, fans could walk on the tiles and use the solar‑powered charging stations to charge their electronic devices.

On the technical side, SUNPave tiles feature scratch‑resistant, slip‑resistant, and anti‑glare surfaces, and incorporate passive/active cooling technologies to cope with the hot climate of the Middle East. More importantly, their optical design allows them to effectively capture sunlight even when laid flat on the ground, achieving power generation efficiency comparable to traditional tilted solar panels. The SUNPave team stated that their goal is to make solar panels enter the spaces where people walk, thereby making full use of urban land resources that are difficult to access with traditional PV technology.

2.2 Bahrain: First Solar‑Shaded Coastal Walkway

In February 2022, Bahrain launched its first solar‑covered walkway project – the Askar Coastal Solar Energy Tree Project. Initiated by Bahrain’s National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD), in cooperation with the Southern Municipality and supported by BBK Bank, the project spans about 1,200 metres. Tree‑like solar photovoltaic structures were built along the Askar coast, providing shade for the walkway while powering the irrigation system and lighting facilities, reducing overall electricity consumption by about 20%.

The design concept of the project integrates aesthetics with functionality. The "solar tree" structures provide shaded rest areas for the walkway while converting solar energy into electricity. Along the walkway, modern shaded family areas, children’s play facilities, restrooms, and green spaces were also built. Old lighting systems were fully replaced with energy‑efficient lamps, making the Askar coast the first walkway in Bahrain with an integrated environmental system.

2.3 United Kingdom: Solar Lighting Walkway in a Community Park

In August 2022, the solar lighting walkway at Chalvey Recreation Ground in Slough, UK, was completed. The project installed 16 six‑metre‑high solar lamp posts and a 1.5‑metre‑wide tarmac path, connecting the park’s main facilities – a playground, a multi‑use games area (MUGA), and an outdoor gym – into a circular route.

Notably, the project originated from actual community needs – previously the park had neither a path connecting the main entrance nor any lighting. Through focus groups and community surveys, Slough Borough Council and the Chalvey Community Partnership identified safety upgrades as a priority, and received funding from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner. After completion, park usage increased significantly, and resident feedback indicated that the new facilities made them feel safer.

The highlight of this project is its zero energy cost and environmental friendliness. The solar lights incur no electricity bills, produce lower light pollution, and have less impact on wildlife. This case demonstrates that solar walkways are not only highlights for major sporting events but also practical solutions for improving daily community life.

2.4 Germany: Freiburg Solar Bike Path

In November 2022, German energy company Badenova completed a solar‑canopied bike path in Freiburg, approximately 300 metres long. The path is covered with semi‑transparent glass‑glass photovoltaic modules, protecting cyclists while converting solar energy into electricity. The project installed a total of 912 solar modules, arranged in 38 canopy sections supported by galvanised steel structures, with a total installed capacity of 282.7 kWp and an expected annual power generation of about 280,000 kWh – enough to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 180 people.

The city of Freiburg was the main driver of the project. Facing the practical challenge of limited urban land, integrating PV facilities into transport infrastructure became an innovative solution. A standardised support system was also developed, lowering the cost for deployment in other locations. The solar modules were supplied by Solarwatt and have received general building approval from the German Institute for Building Technology, allowing unrestricted use in both private and public areas.

2.5 United States: GW University’s World’s First Walkable Solar Panel Path

In October 2022, George Washington University completed the world’s first walkable solar panel path – the Solar Walk project – at its Virginia Science and Technology Campus. The project includes 27 slip‑resistant, semi‑transparent, walkable photovoltaic panels and a solar‑powered trellis. The walkable PV panels have an average peak power of 400 watts, sufficient to power 450 LED path lights below. The solar trellis is installed at the end of the walkway, and the electricity generated feeds back to the campus’s Innovation Hall.

The project was designed and manufactured by Onyx Solar, a Spanish company renowned internationally for its building‑integrated photovoltaics technology. GW University stated that the Solar Walk demonstrates the university’s commitment to innovation in design and sustainability, and will serve as a reference model for future projects.

2.6 United States: Tampa’s Solar Sidewalk

At the end of 2022, the city of Tampa, Florida, installed 84 solar panels on a sidewalk specifically to provide backup power for traffic signals. The background to this innovative solution is that Tampa lies in a hurricane‑prone area, where frequent power outages pose a serious threat to traffic safety. Traditional backup generators are insufficient in number, and the battery backup life of signal lights is only about eight hours, whereas the solar sidewalk can provide continuous power for up to three days.

The project was carried out by the city of Tampa in partnership with Canada‑based Solar Earth Solutions. This case illustrates the unique value of solar walkways in enhancing the resilience of urban infrastructure – not only generating clean energy but also directly serving public safety needs.

3. Advances in Solar Walkway Technology and Products

Beyond the construction of the projects mentioned above, significant breakthroughs were also made in solar walkway technology in 2022.

FRP solar walkway systems gained more attention this year. FRP (fibre‑reinforced polymer) materials offer resistance to acids, alkalis, and corrosion, are electrically insulating, and easy to install, making them particularly suitable for solar rooftop walkways in corrosive environments such as power plants, chemical plants, and water treatment facilities. Such walkway systems not only effectively extend the service life of commercial and industrial roofs but also provide safe access for equipment installed on the roof.

Energy Floors’ Solar Walkway product also saw more applications in 2022. This product combines solar power generation with data collection. Each 60×60 cm module can produce up to 35 Wp of electricity and is equipped with nine sensors, turning the walkway into a smart interactive interface. The technology has already been deployed at an electric vehicle charging station in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

4. Policy and Legal Environment

In 2022, the legal and policy environment relevant to solar walkways saw significant developments. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the United States issued a landmark ruling that roads leading to solar projects are part of protected solar energy systems, and local governments cannot unreasonably restrict their construction through zoning regulations. The ruling provided a favourable interpretation of Section 3 of the Massachusetts Zoning Act for the development of solar energy, offering clearer legal protection for the construction of solar facilities – including the access roads that serve them.

The significance of this ruling is that it affirms that a "solar energy system" includes not only the PV modules themselves but also auxiliary facilities such as the roads serving the system. This will help advance solar projects, including those that require access roads crossing different parcels of land.