The road to Sandpoint becoming North Idaho's intellectual and economic capital could be paved with hexagon-shaped solar panels.

Yes, we're serious as Sulu. We've got to be, after following the so-far amazing story of Sandpoint-based Solar Roadways, a tiny company with a potentially life-altering product. Sulu - actor George Takei of Star Trek fame - plays only a small but important part.

Solar Roadways, the brainchild of Scott and Julie Brusaw, has raised almost $1.5 million in donations to take the solar panel product to its next stage of development. They got a big boost recently when Takei promoted the venture via social media.

The product concept is ingenious: Replacing the world's roadways, sidewalks and others surfaces over time with these inch-thick panels that collect solar energy which could power the planet. Not only that, but the panels would be capable of keeping roadways ice-free. Think of the cost-savings on that facet alone.

Right now, there's just a small, 108-panel parking pad next to the Brusaws' workshop serving as test site. But so far, so good. With the influx of no-strings-attached cash and sizable grants pending, the Brusaws can now do some hiring and perhaps workspace expansion.

"I wouldn't want to sell one of these to anyone until it's been perfected," Scott Brusaw told the Bonner County Daily Bee this week.

What Scott and Julie do want is to build a better planet from home base in Sandpoint, Idaho. They're now accepting applications for mechanical, civil, structural, manufacturing, materials and environmental engineers. As they move into production, Scott said more job openings will follow.

We commend our neighbors to the north and will be cheering them every step of the way in this exciting endeavor. Success for the Brusaws would translate into an economic windfall for the region and, better still, a safer, cleaner planet. You might even be able to see the difference a couple of decades from now from the deck of the U.S.S. Enterprise.