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Switzerland’s solar railway has been a success. What happens next? (www.euronews.com)

submitted 1 day ago by supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz to c/energy@slrpnk.net

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49066385

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[–] Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 1 day ago (2 children)

after rolling out 100 metres of photovoltaic (PV) panels in between active tracks

One of the biggest concerns, previously expressed by the International Union of Railways, is that the panels could suffer micro-cracks, lead to a higher risk of fires and distract train drivers due to reflections

Built-in sensors also ensure they work properly while brushes attached to the end of trains can remove dirt from the panels’ surface.

Yeah that doesn't really sound like a resounding success IMO.

Just put it on a house?

[–] GreyEyedGhost@piefed.ca 16 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Concerns don't mean it's a problem, just that it was identified as a possible problem. Did this study bear these concerns out? From the article, right between two of the paragraphs you copied:

Sun-Ways has tackled these issues by building more resistant panels than what would be installed on rooftops, fitted with an anti-reflection filter.

Also, yes, install them on houses. We can do both. We should keep putting them just about everywhere they work until there is no added benefit or there is no more fossil fuel being used for electricity.

[–] davetortoise@reddthat.com 4 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

I still dont understand why it's so important to have them along rail lines. Why not just build a regular solar farm?

[–] Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 hour ago

It's to awe the masses, there is no other benefit.

[–] I_am_10_squirrels@beehaw.org 3 points 17 hours ago

The space and right of way is already procured, and the space between the tracks can't be put to other beneficial use.

[–] pageflight@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago

Sure if we can do both! But it seems like lots of easier options are still untapped in many places, like the sides of the rail right of way.

[–] TimWardCam@c.im 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

@Valmond @supersquirrel Ah, the reflection thing. There was concern about that in the vicinity of #Cambridge airport.

But the really naïve response would be "surely the panels are designed to absorb sunlight, not reflect it?"

[–] Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 hour ago

At certain angles it would be good to reflect light, as it cannot easily be absorbed and converted, and would otherwise just heat things up, which is not what you want for solar cells, they get very very hot already.