I dunno, to me it sounded like an interesting experiment. Experiments sometimes go well, sometimes they fail.
Not so sure why you compare it to the solar roads tho, it’s not that the solar panels have to sustain the weight of the train, since they are going to be between the rails. Of course there are a tone of things that can go wrong. One thing for example that made me wonder - and it is not addressed in this article - is in relation to the vibrations of the rails. Solar panels don’t respond well to vibrations, at all. But, they also mention that the initial test went well and they got the permits to test them for spring of 2025. Let’s see?
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 9 months ago
At least the weight isn’t on the panels this time. I think there are better places to put them, though.
0laura@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 months ago
yep. at least to me it feels like the fact that its between the rails is just to make it cooler, not actually for any real benefit. i love solar, but this project sounds sus
KryptonNerd@slrpnk.net 9 months ago
It being between the rails probably makes it easier to automate most of the installation, cleaning, and removal at the end of their life.
AA5B@lemmy.world 9 months ago
At the cost of making any maintenance harder, creating a very long layout so no likelihood of redundant connections, and putting breakable objects in a high impact zone