Solar power on track: Greenrail's rail innovation kicks off
Greenrail has demonstrated that solar energy can be harnessed not only through photovoltaic panels on rooftops but also by developing panels that can be installed on railway tracks.
The popularity of photovoltaic panels is increasing at an impressive rate. More and more homes are choosing this method of energy generation to save money amid constantly rising electricity prices. Interest in solar solutions is growing throughout Europe, including Italy, where Greenrail is developing innovative solutions in railway photovoltaics.
Photovoltaics on tracks
A pilot program is underway on a 0.6-mile section of railway track between Modena and Sassuolo in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This project is the culmination of work that began in 2018 when the concept of photovoltaic panels on tracks was first introduced.
In collaboration with Politecnico di Milano, the company tested the efficiency of their solar panels over six months, examining the impact of climate conditions and train traffic. The results were very positive, revealing that track-mounted panels can generate approximately 35 MWh of energy annually per mile of track.
Although the initial track panel project was a prototype, Greenrail sees it as the foundation for implementing this technological innovation more broadly.
What about pollution from trains?
There are concerns about maintaining cleanliness on railway sleepers, especially considering train waste. However, Greenrail's president, Emanuele Occhipinti, reassures that cleaning a railway line with panels takes only a few minutes. This process involves special machines equipped with brushes and water sprayers.
The Italian company highlights the ease of installation and the speed of implementing its technology. Additionally, it produces the sleepers using recycled materials.
