Switzerland’s Solar-Powered Train Tracks: A Bright Idea on the Rails!
In a delightful twist on renewable energy, a Swiss startup is installing solar panels between railway tracks. This innovative pilot project, costing approximately Rs 6.04 crore, features 48 solar panels placed along a 100-meter stretch of railway in the quaint village of Buttes. The best part? These panels can be easily removed for train maintenance, ensuring that operations run smoothly without disruption.
A Vision Born at the Train Station
The brainchild of Joseph Scuderi, the idea for this project came to him in 2020 while he was waiting for a train. After overcoming initial safety concerns from the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), Sun-Ways received the green light to proceed. Scuderi described the installation process as straightforward, likening it to placing solar panels on a house roof.
Innovative Technology for Easy Maintenance
Unlike traditional solar panels, which are permanently fixed, Sun-Ways has developed a unique technology that allows these panels to be removed quickly. The Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer can install or remove nearly 1,000 square meters of solar panels in just a few hours. This flexibility ensures that maintenance teams can perform their duties without any hassle.
Harnessing Solar Power for the Future
The energy generated by these solar panels can be utilized in several ways. It can power railway infrastructure, feed into the local electricity network, or, most effectively, be reinjected into the traction energy network that powers locomotives. Sun-Ways estimates that if this technology were implemented across Switzerland’s 5,320 kilometers of rail network, it could generate enough solar power to meet the needs of 300,000 households annually.
Florence Pictet, a spokesperson for the FOT, expressed enthusiasm for this innovative approach, highlighting the importance of rail and public transport companies in advancing renewable energy production. With interest from countries like China and the US, as well as collaborations in South Korea, Spain, and Romania, Sun-Ways is paving the way for a greener future in transportation.
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