Birbla

Discussion summary

Switzerland tested solar rail technology, which could become common in Europe. Opinions vary, with some praising the idea and others criticizing its practicality.

What the discussion says

  • Supporters see it as a way to generate renewable energy efficiently.
  • Critics argue it's an inefficient use of space and resources.
  • Some believe it distracts from better solutions like rooftop solar.
  • Concerns about technical feasibility and cost are raised.
“Solar rail could be a new way to harness renewable energy.”
— user1
“It's an inefficient use of space compared to rooftops.”
— user2

Join the discussion

Write your take first — we'll ask for email only when you're ready to publish.

Sign in
  • Hacker News
  • It makes more sense than the road, because at least the train isn’t driving directly on the thing. I wonder if the power could be delivered directly to the train. Although the only savings really would be transmission costs, not sure how big of a deal that is…
    by bee_rider
  • This has some more photos of the solar panels and the laying of them https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/emissions-reduction/solar-energ...
    by tim333
  • This is a great example of the solar ecosystem finding new niches. Tracks are likely good because there is already constant maintenance and inspections on them as well as ready hookup to the grid or, as the article mentions, directly providing power for trains. The point here isn't that this is 'the most efficient way to use solar' it is that it works and provides benefit. It is like agrovoltaics. The solar production is lower than a dedicated solar installation, but the dual use of the land and potential secondary benefits make it worth while. It looks like this could even get to the point where solar could actually power the trains completely assuming this expanded a little beyond just the track surface which could be interesting for the design of trains.
    by jmward01
  • What are the economics of this? Cost to install vs other available options? Durability will certainly be an issue I’m sure. Genuinely curious and not because I think it’s a bad idea. I want solar on all underutilized areas, I just prefer low hanging fruit from a cost perspective at the current time.
    by Aboutplants
  • This will never work, and it's ridiculous: https://youtu.be/7vItnxhWRqw
    by reader9274
  • I've been nerd-sniped into google fueled napkin math.

      18kw/100 m = 180kw/km
    The most powerful Swiss electric locomotive [1] maxes out at 7900kw. That's 44km of track.

    The most common Swiss electric (4/4) typicaly maxes at 6100kw requiring up to 34km of track.

    Switzeraland has about 5000km of track and 180 is about 200, so a million kilowatts if all the track has solar panels.

    Assuming 3000kw per locomotive and 100% efficiency [2], that's 300 electrical locomotives running simultaneously. The Swiss fleet is about four times that.

    ---

    Of course I am no expert.

    [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stock_used_by_Swiss_Fe...

    [2] and ignoring the 10 per year efficiency loss of the panels mentioned in the article

    by brudgers
  • Better article with video: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/emissions-reduction/solar-energ...
    by kuerbel
  • Solar cell is the only practically viable power source with no moving parts. Stop trying to attach it to moving things. Movements breaks things. Just put the panels by the rail, e.g. as vertical sound barriers in reasonable distance (to lower the pressure waves from train) from tracks. Or on a nearby field where it can be protected and inspected all at one place.
    by dvh

Explore Birbla archives