A solar road project in Tourouvre-au-Perche, in the Orne department of France, aimed to pioneer a new way of generating renewable energy but has now been declared a failure due to both technical and environmental issues. The project, called Wattway, involved covering a kilometer of a local road with ultra-thin photovoltaic panels that were glued directly onto the existing asphalt, without the need for major construction work. This initiative, backed by the French government as part of its broader energy transition strategy, cost around 5 million euros. The goal was for the solar road to produce enough electricity to power the public lighting of the town, which would be equivalent to the energy needs of 5,000 people. However, the project did not meet expectations. The actual electricity generated was only half of what had been predicted, largely due to factors like shadows from trees, accumulation of dust, and the degradation of the panel coatings over time. Additionally, the solar tiles, designed to withstand regular car traffic, proved unable to handle the heavy loads of agricultural machinery such as tractors and harvesters. This led to cracks and damage to the panels, further reducing their efficiency and lifespan. After three years of operation, the project was ultimately abandoned due to the extensive damage to the solar tiles and the minimal electricity produced compared to the initial investment. The failure of Wattway has prompted French authorities and companies to shift their focus away from traditional solar roads. Instead, they are now exploring more viable alternatives, such as installing photovoltaic canopies over parking lots, which are easier to maintain and more efficient in energy production. The Tourouvre-au-Perche project serves as a cautionary example of the challenges involved in integrating renewable energy technologies into unconventional environments. While the concept of solar roads was innovative, the practical difficulties and costs associated with maintaining them have led to a reevaluation of their feasibility. As a result, the focus is now on more adaptable and cost-effective solar solutions that can be implemented with fewer technical and environmental hurdles.