That video is good - seeing the train-car dropping the panels into place makes it clear that you have some immediate labor savings on the initial deployment. Not sure if the post-installation labor was significant or could be automated away.
Still not sold on the idea. For something with a 20+ year life span, the initial deployment effort seems kind of irrelevant and should be better located somewhere that does not require ongoing activity. Train ballast requires replacement every N years which is going to require ripping up all of those panels.
Aboutplants [3 hidden]5 mins ago
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.
LaurensBER [3 hidden]5 mins ago
I imagine that the cost to install is fairly low since train tracks require regular monitoring and maintenance so it's fairly cheap to add the installation and maintenance on top of the existing schedule.
The manufacturer claims that durability should not be an issue. Time will tell.
tryagainian [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Placing a cover over the area between the tracks makes it much more difficult to inspect the ties (sleepers) and ballast.
datadrivenangel [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Seems likely that safe access for maintenance makes this unappealing economically. Likely easier to have wider rail right of way and then put a panel farm on the side.
tryagainian [3 hidden]5 mins ago
With the added benefit of being able to mount the tracks at an angle, and the added disadvantage of occupying area near the tracks that is occasionally used for maintenance equipment.
And getting approval to widen the right of way, where it’s even physically possible, and issues around flora suppression.
tryagainian [3 hidden]5 mins ago
[flagged]
matwood [3 hidden]5 mins ago
> Everywhere grid scale solar goes, expensive new transmission lines follow.
How is this different than any other power generation install?
SoftTalker [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Solar (and wind, I guess) is way more spread out? Other power generation happens at a point on a map by comparison.
ben_w [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Always nice when something that I suggest in a random comment only to get a dismissive reply, turns out to be an idea worth persuing all along.
therealpygon [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Being right about things you have no control over is a bit like being right about your favorite flavor of jelly.
ben_w [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Of course.
I have tried entrepreneurial stuff twice before, in my 20s, though without much success. Having ideas good enough to get investors interested is a sign that perhaps I should have another go at it.
shermantanktop [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Can you be wrong about your favorite flavor of jelly?
Cpoll [3 hidden]5 mins ago
> idea worth persuing
Remains to be seen, considering how much snake oil there is in the solar market (but to be fair, this makes more sense than solar roads). A news article summary of a press release isn't proof of much.
bee_rider [3 hidden]5 mins ago
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…
JumpCrisscross [3 hidden]5 mins ago
> at least the train isn’t driving directly on the thing
It’s just kicking up dust and dripping lubricant onto it.
Maybe this makes sense. I’m deeply sceptical. Especially when you could just be putting vertical panels to the sides.
mrmanner [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Trains AND solar power. Awesome.
ajsnigrutin [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Solar sidewalks, solar roads, now solar rail?
WHY?! Dave from eevblog did the math and it's bad
Did we really fill up all the area on top of roofs, parkings lots, industrial areas, etc., and we're running out, and we have to put solar cells on railroads?
Quitschquat [3 hidden]5 mins ago
I think these kinds of ideas capture easily impressionable, elected representatives whose technical knowledge is non existent.
pepperoni_pizza [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Today we sail
On the Solar Rail
For there's much we just don't know
So farewell with a kiss
Then it's fast for the mist
Till we're sleeping in the cold below
tryagainian [3 hidden]5 mins ago
Would you be better off just building an additional nuclear power plant.
This trial tied the panels to the grid, but they want to connect it to railway substations or directly in to the trains power system for the traction motors.
Making the power only available for trains.
And never at night, as is typical with solar panels.
HN.zip
Still not sold on the idea. For something with a 20+ year life span, the initial deployment effort seems kind of irrelevant and should be better located somewhere that does not require ongoing activity. Train ballast requires replacement every N years which is going to require ripping up all of those panels.
The manufacturer claims that durability should not be an issue. Time will tell.
And getting approval to widen the right of way, where it’s even physically possible, and issues around flora suppression.
How is this different than any other power generation install?
I have tried entrepreneurial stuff twice before, in my 20s, though without much success. Having ideas good enough to get investors interested is a sign that perhaps I should have another go at it.
Remains to be seen, considering how much snake oil there is in the solar market (but to be fair, this makes more sense than solar roads). A news article summary of a press release isn't proof of much.
It’s just kicking up dust and dripping lubricant onto it.
Maybe this makes sense. I’m deeply sceptical. Especially when you could just be putting vertical panels to the sides.
WHY?! Dave from eevblog did the math and it's bad
Did we really fill up all the area on top of roofs, parkings lots, industrial areas, etc., and we're running out, and we have to put solar cells on railroads?
On the Solar Rail
For there's much we just don't know
So farewell with a kiss
Then it's fast for the mist
Till we're sleeping in the cold below
This trial tied the panels to the grid, but they want to connect it to railway substations or directly in to the trains power system for the traction motors.
Making the power only available for trains.
And never at night, as is typical with solar panels.
https://lenews.ch/2026/07/04/new-nuclear-plants-a-difficult-...