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Solar panel researchers investigate powering trains by bypassing grid

January 10, 2017 by Alan Stainer

Solar panel researchers investigate powering trains by bypassing grid

What a gobsmackingly obvious and brilliant idea! There are thousands of miles of track, which could be home to thousands of miles of solar cells, all doing their bit to decarbonise the rail networks. It will also have the knock on effect of reducing energy bills which could well translate into reduced costs for rail travellers too.

I really hope everything goes well for the project!

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/10/solar-panel-research-power-trains-imperial-college-london-1010

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/10/solar-panel-research-power-trains-imperial-college-london-1010

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Comments

  1. Lim An Rui says

    January 10, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    80% cadmium and 20%iron solar panels will work. tesla coil can make wireless electricity.

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  2. Lim An Rui says

    January 10, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    80% cadmium and 20%iron solar panels will work. tesla coil can make wireless electricity.

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  3. nustada says

    January 10, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    “gobsmackingly obvious and brilliant idea! “

    Its a moronic idea. Its stupid to lay solar panels flat, angle the them to the sun and put them where it is sunny.

    If anything build a roof over the track and panel the roof.

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  4. nustada says

    January 10, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    “gobsmackingly obvious and brilliant idea! “

    Its a moronic idea. Its stupid to lay solar panels flat, angle the them to the sun and put them where it is sunny.

    If anything build a roof over the track and panel the roof.

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  5. nustada says

    January 10, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Alex Shull

    Its cheap compared to solar panels installed incorrectly.

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  6. nustada says

    January 10, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Alex Shull

    Its cheap compared to solar panels installed incorrectly.

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  7. Alan Stainer says

    January 10, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    As well as being more expensive, the roof idea would need a lot more materials (and therefore have a larger carbon footprint) and would also be problematic with the running of the trains while it is being installed. I can see standalone solar panels alongside the tracks being a lot easier to introduce with a minimum of interruption to rail services.

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  8. Alan Stainer says

    January 10, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    As well as being more expensive, the roof idea would need a lot more materials (and therefore have a larger carbon footprint) and would also be problematic with the running of the trains while it is being installed. I can see standalone solar panels alongside the tracks being a lot easier to introduce with a minimum of interruption to rail services.

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  9. Piotr Azia says

    January 10, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Let’s not forget that the UK rail network could do with being electrified for a start – solar power could kill two birds with one stone

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  10. Piotr Azia says

    January 10, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Let’s not forget that the UK rail network could do with being electrified for a start – solar power could kill two birds with one stone

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  11. Julian Bond says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:51 am

    Why would the panels be horizontal? They’d be at the side of the track, surely you’d angle them towards the sun.

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  12. Julian Bond says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:51 am

    Why would the panels be horizontal? They’d be at the side of the track, surely you’d angle them towards the sun.

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  13. nustada says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:59 am

    ijaz ali

    Stick a pinwheel on the top of your car, free energy.

    /sarcasm.

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  14. nustada says

    January 11, 2017 at 6:59 am

    ijaz ali

    Stick a pinwheel on the top of your car, free energy.

    /sarcasm.

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  15. Piotr Sitko says

    February 12, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    because it is cheaper, obviously. also good luck having solar panel in uk, the usual day will be less than 10-20% of the maximum wattage of the panel , sorry but this is not california.. if you want to go off grid with trains you need coal or diesel.

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  16. Piotr Sitko says

    February 12, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    because it is cheaper, obviously. also good luck having solar panel in uk, the usual day will be less than 10-20% of the maximum wattage of the panel , sorry but this is not california.. if you want to go off grid with trains you need coal or diesel.

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  17. Julian Bond says

    February 12, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Yeah obviously solar panels can’t possibly work in the UK. Which is why we keep installing them.

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  18. Julian Bond says

    February 12, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Yeah obviously solar panels can’t possibly work in the UK. Which is why we keep installing them.

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    May 9, 2017 at 10:32 am

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