Scott Brusaw and his wife Julie turned a childhood enthusiasm for electric slot-car racing into a forward-looking company called Solar Roadways.
The solar-powered panels their company creates are the basis for “smart” highways that generate clean electricity, provide road lighting and prevent snow and ice accumulation.
Scott, an electrical engineer, designed and built prototypes for Solar Roadways with grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Julie is the marketing force behind their innovative company.
Instead of pavement, Solar Roadways uses interlocking hexagons of tempered glass with textured surfaces to improve traction and water drainage. The panels can withstand the weight of semi- tractor trailers and can be assembled in different sizes and shapes to fit any road, parking lot or other surface normally covered by asphalt or concrete.
First-time entrepreneurs like the Brusaws can only go so far on their own. By sharing their story and developing a community of fans and backers on the global crowdfunding site Indiegogo, they were able to raise $2.2 million. When the couple needed additional financial support and manufacturing guidance to scale from prototype to production, they turned to the experts at global technology company Arrow Electronics.
Arrow helped Solar Roadways get its innovative technology product to market with:
DESIGN SUPPORT & COMPONENTS SELECTION
When the Brusaws invited Arrow experts to look at their prototype designs, Arrow provided solutions to some key problems. For example, Arrow recommended replacements for obsolete parts and introduced them to a competitively priced, higher performance LED maker.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Arrow advised Solar Roadways on how to improve the reliability of its supply chain and reduce costs. Arrow experts helped the Brusaws shift to a less expensive and equally reliable LED maker. The Brusaws were also able to leverage Arrow’s global footprint to buy directly from suppliers offering bulk-order discounts.
Solar Roadways Fast Facts:
Website: www.solarroadways.com
Founded: 2006
Co-founders: Scott and Julie Brusaw
Headquartered: Sandpoint, ID
Arrow Electronics Customer Since: 2015
What's Next? Solar Roadways are currently being installed in three U.S. locations. Scott and Julie have seen their ideas come full circle from the era when they raced toy cars around a toy track - and today their real-life Solar Roadways may very well light out way into the future.
Learn more about the Arrow Certification program here.