Switzerland turns train tracks into solar power plants

swissinfo.ch

1 pointElement_3 comments

this kind of strikes me like the whole boom-and-bust solar roadways thing from a few years back. Sure it's a large flat surface but transmission is a challenge and it's next to a mechanically active surface, why is this worth more time than an empty field with fewer variables and greater proximity to demand

"empty field with fewer variables and greater proximity to demand"

I do not disagree with what you wrote but would like to suggest that empty fields are not necessarily the best place. I think rooftops and parking lots are better alternatives. They can then serve more than one purpose (shade). The empty fields can then stay empty (green spaces have value) or used for some other development.

very true, I was thinking from experience where there was a stony gravel lot I drive past that they covered with them, I couldn't imagine it's a good idea to do such a thing over land that would otherwise.. be absorbing the sun and directly capturing carbon with it.. I'm heartened to see more flat-top buildings taking advantage of their space with solar. To continue the prior point, I don't think scarcity moves like this with the rails are necessary anymore, I think the point's been made we want this and the demand (anecdotally) is higher than supply for free installs/space rental

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