this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2025

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Switzerland Unveils World’s First Operational Solar Railway Project (cleantechnica.com)

submitted 2 years ago by Sunshine@lemmy.ca to c/energy@slrpnk.net

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[–] crystalmerchant@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)

This is only slightly less stupid than "float-ovoltaics" or "solar freakin' roadways!!!"

[–] porous_grey_matter@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

It's probably not the best idea but it's considerably less stupid than those, seeing as they managed to actually build one

[+] Mihies@programming.dev 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

[removed by mod]

[–] porous_grey_matter@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

Don't get me wrong I still think it's dumb

[–] Nalivai@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Converting roofs into solar is simple and cool if you don't know anything about any of that. Then so many problems emerging, you start going crazy and yearn for the simplicity and straightforwardness of a floating solar platform.
And that's before you remember that not all of the world is US and most people don't actually live in a detached house with a roof.

[–] Mihies@programming.dev 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Huh, what? While placing solar panels on the roof isn't ideal, it's far from problematic. And roofs aren't only on resident houses, you have plenty of industrial ones which are usually even better as they are flat.

[–] Nalivai@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

From the government perspective, first of all you need to redesign your electrical grid, from scratch, everything, from ground up. After which you will be left with the electrical production you can't predict, can't control, can't regulate, which will grow or shrink at the intervals you, once again, can't control or even predict. And that's if we're talking about sensitive models of giving people subsidies so they can put panels themselves. If I start thinking about the logistics of some agency putting solar on people's roofs, my head starts hurting.

[–] Oneser@lemm.ee 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Space is at a premium in many parts of Switzerland and a lot of the available land is privately owned. This MIGHT be the easiest way to deploy solar in the specific rail sections being considered and may only generate a small portion of the needed electricity.

So it might be the simplest effective idea for the region.

[–] raltoid@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

One of the big positives is that the "mounting frame" is already there and pretty consistent, you don't need to clear land and build things. So they just drive a custom train over that basically clip in removable panels.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 11 points 2 years ago (4 children)

What is the upside of building panels into the rail instead of next to it?

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 4 points 2 years ago

So it can be installed by the train.

[–] sonori@beehaw.org 2 points 2 years ago

This way an ‘innovative’ and ‘disruptive’ approach that can be the basis of a startup that can be sold to a bigger company or IPO for a bunch of money, and as a bonus draw clean energy funding away from tried and tested solutions into inefficient gimmicks that in turn keep the gas plants running that much longer.

[–] Stache_@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Maybe a bit more protection from the elements? And maybe they’ll design a system to push and clear debris as the train goes over

[–] Willy@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

yeah, the cleaning is one thing they mention they have. alone with others

[–] Stache_@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

Haha yeah I read the comments before I read the article. Rookie move lol

[–] Willy@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 years ago

the article covers that.

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I wonder if they could just add a caboose to every train that would clean off the panels as it travels over them.

[–] Stache_@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah thats what I was thinking too

[–] Stache_@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Oh, well here we go:

“The panels are equipped with anti-reflective coatings to prevent glare, and cleaning systems, such as cylindrical brushes mounted on trains, help maintain efficiency by removing dust and debris.”

Lovely

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Especially since train toilets traditionally empty on the tracks... Although they probably no longer do these days.

(also I had to look "caboose" up)

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 years ago

Can confirm they don't do that any more in Switzerland. They separate solids and liquids and have integrated bioreactors to clear the fluids. Only the cleaned liquids get dumped these days, the solids are stored and emptied every few weeks.

The new-ish Bombardier Twindexx Express have an issue with their bioreactors so unfortunately whatever they dump still stinks. The main train company SBB claimed to fix it in Summer 2024, but it was still stinky in Autumn.

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

We just recently discussed this project:

https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/23083174

https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/23833792

I don't think anything substantial changed since then.

The only real news are that it's been inaugurated. If you want a new picture check here