Energy Transition of Road Infrastructures: Analysis of the Photovoltaic Potential on the A3 Napoli–Pompei–Salerno Highway

Giuseppe Piras (), Giuseppe Orsini and Francesco Muzi
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Giuseppe Piras: Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Roma, Italy
Giuseppe Orsini: Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Roma, Italy
Francesco Muzi: Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Roma, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-23

Abstract: The energy transition of the road transport sector is now a strategic priority for achieving global decarbonization targets. In particular, the highway sector offers the opportunity to integrate sustainable solutions without additional land consumption, thanks to the availability of relevant areas that are already covered by infrastructure. This study proposes a large-scale analysis of the potential photoelectric energy that can be produced within highway infrastructures, with the aim of evaluating the contribution that these assets can make to electric mobility. The analysis was conducted using geographic information systems (GISs), applied to the case study of the A3 Napoli–Pompei–Salerno highway. The processing of topographical, orographic, and solar data has made it possible to identify a total surface area of approximately 27,100 m 2 that is potentially suitable for the installation of photovoltaic systems, distributed among service areas, toll stations, car parks, and side sections. This result highlights the concrete possibility of making the most of the energy potential of highway infrastructure, promoting self-production and local consumption models to power the electric vehicle charging network, thus contributing directly to the reduction of emissions and the sustainability of the transport system.

Keywords: energy transition; renewable energy; environmental sustainability; decarbonization; GIS; smart road; road infrastructure; electric mobility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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