Just fit a brush under every train to wipe dirt off the panels as they travel.
Comment on Swiss Experiment Will Place Solar Panels Between Train Tracks
growsomethinggood@reddthat.com 4 days ago
A very neat idea, quite innovative! My initial reaction would be that this would be a great way to recycle panels from larger, traditional projects that are getting upgraded anyway. My concern with new panels is that with moving trains above them, there’s a strong chance for breaks in the glass depending on what’s being transported, and a huge amount of loss due to dirt accumulating. Those conditions may result in harsh losses for new panels, which may be more beneficial in production elsewhere! Mid- to end-of-life panels might not be producing as much power anyway, so getting a second life in a situation like this one might squeeze a little more power out of them that you wouldn’t get otherwise.
Of course, solar panels are very inexpensive nowadays, so financially it might not make that big a difference, but I think it’s good to think about best use of the resources we have regardless!
officermike@lemmy.world 4 days ago
growsomethinggood@reddthat.com 4 days ago
Haha, all good until you get some gravel in the brush!
officermike@lemmy.world 4 days ago
That’s why we workshop these ideas, to make sure we don’t do something stupid.
FooBarrington@lemmy.world 4 days ago
And that’s why you attach a squeegee, not a brush!
Valmond@lemmy.world 4 days ago
This is a great idea!
To get grant money.
Otherwise it’s even more stupid than solar roadways.
I mean except if you live on a planet where 99% of land is rails.
growsomethinggood@reddthat.com 4 days ago
Hey, ideas are great to explore, and we don’t know if there’s a place or community this would serve. Not every project has to be scalable! Diversity of uses is a good thing. There’s not a single solution for moving to renewable energy, creativity will be required.
Valmond@lemmy.world 4 days ago
Yes, with the exception of this project.
There is not one good idea about it (except if you are on the receiving end of the funding I guess), but lots of really bad ideas about it. Several are outright stupid and unfeasible.
AA5B@lemmy.world 4 days ago
It’s great to explore if it didn’t cost anything. Since someone needs to spend money, they do need to use some judgement.
Technically there’s no reason this can’t function, but practically this is highly sus. The only benefit would be to save a little land, but it’s hard to see any likelihood if it being worthwhile