Switzerland Approves Removable Solar Panel Plant Along Railway Tracks
Switzerland has approved installing a removable solar panel plant along the railway tracks.
Swiss startup Sun-Ways has been given permission to test the first removable solar panels on railway tracks. However, there are concerns about the safety of this project. The trial will take place on a track in the western canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, for three years starting in spring 2025. The solar panels will be rolled out like a carpet between the tracks and can be easily removed. While the initial project is small, Sun-Ways aims to expand this technology globally.
They believe that 50% of the world's railway lines could be equipped with their system. This innovative approach to solar panel installation follows similar experiments on roadsides, reservoirs, and farms. Other companies are also exploring adding solar panels to railway sleepers. However, Sun-Ways is the first to patent a removable system, making it unique in the industry. This removable feature is essential for regular maintenance of railway tracks.
How will it work?
A special train, made by a Swiss company, will lay solar panels along the train tracks. This train rolls along the tracks, unfurling pre-made solar panels. It can lay up to 1,000 square meters of panels each day. For three years, a test will be done on a 100-meter track. 48 solar panels will be added, costing about €623,000. The electricity produced will be sent to the main power grid to supply homes. Using it for trains is more complex.
Key points:
* Removable Design: The solar panels can be rolled out and removed as needed, allowing for easy maintenance of the tracks.
* Global Potential: Sun-Ways envisions equipping 50% of the world's railway lines with this technology.
* Safety Concerns: Despite the potential benefits, there are concerns about the safety implications of this project.
* Innovative Approach: This project is part of a broader trend of exploring unconventional surfaces for solar panel installation, including roadsides, reservoirs, and farms.
In essence, Sun-Ways is pushing the boundaries of solar energy generation by utilizing an often-overlooked space: railway tracks.
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