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applegrove

(126,160 posts) Sun Apr 27, 2025, 12:24 AM Apr 27

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This message was self-deleted by its author (Original Post) applegrove Apr 27 OP

Cool, but when it snows, do they still produce current? Justice matters. Apr 27 #1

Not likely CloudWatcher Apr 27 #2

Still worth a try. They are testing 100 meters. applegrove Apr 27 #3

I never saw RR tracks that neat and well maintained in this country. doc03 Apr 27 #4

Snake oil salesmen strike again! retread Apr 27 #5

Justice matters.

(8,388 posts)

1. Cool, but when it snows, do they still produce current?

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:01 AM

Apr 27

I mean, where it snows, if there's snow over them.

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CloudWatcher

(2,022 posts)

2. Not likely

Reply to applegrove (Original post)

Sun Apr 27, 2025, 02:27 AM

Apr 27

This seems pretty unlikely to me ... some problems:

- Dirt and snow covering them up (they talk about brushes on the rear of the train cleaning them!)
- Protective glass top becoming scratched and more opaque over time
- Smashed panels from flying rocks propelled by the high speed trains (maybe only for very low speed routes?)
- Inefficient collection of the electricity (long and lossy power transmission lines)

The article talks about using the electricity to run the trains that pass over them, that the trains usually run during the day when the panels would be active. That would avoid the transmission loss, but the electronics to share the power with trains as they run over the panels ... seems dicey to this non-EE. It'd be cool if it works, but I wouldn't count on it