Switzerland is turning the gap between train tracks into a ‘solar carpet’

fastcompany.com

7 pointsgardenfelder6 comments

I have never understood the obsession with putting solar panels in places they obviously should never be. Roads and train tracks have to be the worst possible places to put delicate electronics. Dust, pollution, and debris on top of dodging trains while attempting to maintain them. None of it makes sense.

Why wouldnt you do this when governments are giving out free grants for "innovation". Its a quick way to get couple million $/€ for not much work.

In this case it would be CHF.

It would seem like placing the solar panels on the railroad's right of way would make more sense.

Yeah, that makes a TON of sense for electrified railways. The lines are already there. Although, it's easier to maintain a grid square of solar panels than a long line of them.

EEVblog has a series debunking solar roadways and railways practicability :

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1534-solar-freaki...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM50P4K9UVk

In times of energetic crisis , these kind of schemes will only increase.

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