Solar Panel Telescopic Heavy Rail

Can solar panels be used on railway tracks?

Sun-Ways, a small start-up based in the Western Swiss town of Ecublens, has found yet another option. The space between the rails of railway tracks is large enough to place standard-sized solar panels without obstructing the movement of trains, says co-founder Baptiste Danichert. "This way we could produce some of the electricity we need," he says.

Could solar power be a solution for rail networks?

They can also install PV panels nearby or on train tracks to generate electricity to run trains and distribute power to the grid. This could provide a solution for rail networks that rely heavily on distribution grids, as some grids are approaching full capacity and lack the financing that they need to expand their capacity.

How much solar energy can a rail network produce?

Sun-Ways says the national rail network could produce 1 Terawatt-hour (TWh) of solar energy per year, or about 2% of the electricity consumed in Switzerland. The start-up’s goal is not limited to the Alpine country.

Can a rail company install solar panels on a train?

Rail companies can install PV modules on the roof of trains to generate power for onboard services, such as air conditioning, lighting, and security. They can also install PV panels nearby or on train tracks to generate electricity to run trains and distribute power to the grid.

Could solar power be used in rail transport?

By 2030, PV installations in rail transportation could produce around 12 TWh of electricity, accounting for around 6% of the sector’s total energy consumption. Railways typically own their rights-of-way and control access to their land, making it relatively straightforward to install solar equipment.

Could solar panels be installed on the Swiss rail network?

Theoretically, solar panels could be installed on all 5,317 kilometres of the Swiss rail network for a total area corresponding to about 760 football fields, excluding areas in tunnels or ones exposed to little sunshine.