Q&A
Got questions? We have the answers!
If you are looking for clear information about Sun-Ways and our work, look no further! Check out the answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQ below. If you have not found the answer to your question, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to answer it.
Why are we talking about removable solar power plants?
Usually, the term removable does not apply to solar panels, which we readily imagine as permanently fixed. But in the case of Sun-Ways, removable becomes an essential characteristic. Indeed, it is not enough to securely fix the panels between the rails to allow trains to pass safely. The second major constraint lies in being able to remove these solar panels, so that the railway infrastructure maintenance teams can carry out heavy work such as grinding the rails , tamping or tamping the ballast ; otherwise, the solar installation could be seriously damaged.
Isn't it too expensive to remove the panels every time the rails are maintained?
The operation of the Sun-Ways system of course has a cost, but as the process is mechanized, this cost is perfectly controlled and can be included in the overall cost of an installation. At this stage of our development, the average cost of the kWh produced is around CHF 0.10.
How is solar power used?
There are three ways to use the photovoltaic current produced: it can be reinjected into the railway company's LV (low voltage) network to power the railway infrastructure (switches, signals, stations), it is also possible to reinject the current into the electricity network of the nearest local GRD (Distribution Network Operator) or by reinjecting the current into the traction energy network that powers the locomotives. This last possibility is the one that fits ideally into the mechanized and industrial process of the Sun-Ways installation concept, because it avoids the installation of ground-based inverters and the injected current can also be recovered via the substations.
How to avoid the risks of vandalism or theft?
Ultimately, these risks are the same as for a solar power plant installed on a roof or a noise barrier. Even if Sun-Ways uses standard panels, these are pre-assembled in the workshop with joining elements that require special tools to be disassembled. In addition, special marking on each panel greatly reduces the risk of theft.
How to ensure the cleanliness of the panels?
It is true that dirty panels produce less and this problem is also true on the roofs of houses or in the desert. However, for panels placed between the rails, there are cleaning systems, in the form of a cylindrical brush, which is placed at the end of the train and automatically cleans the panels when the train passes over them. This device guarantees maximum panel performance at minimal cost.
How to guarantee production in the event of snowfall?
Obviously, panels covered with snow cannot produce electricity, especially since in our case they are laid flat. However, this problem deserves to be put into perspective, because in winter, even for power plants on sloping roofs, production is minimal from November to February.
Comment être sûr que le système résiste au passage des trains ?
The Sun-Ways hook system exerts a force on each rail, and its design gives the device great stability. An expert report indicates that the Sun-Ways device remains perfectly stable when trains pass by at speeds of up to 150 km/h and withstands winds of up to 240 km/h. On the section chosen for the pilot project, the maximum speed is 70 km/h.
Aren't the locomotive drivers at risk of being dazzled?
The use of Full Black panels with anti-reflective filter helps reduce this risk. In addition, for each Sun-Ways installation project a glare analysis is carried out, as is already the practice for ground-based power plants installed near railway tracks.
What is the size of a photovoltaic panel?
The standard photovoltaic panels used with Sun-Ways devices installed between the rails of a "normal" track, with a gauge of 1443 mm, have a dimension of approximately 1000 mm X 1700 mm. The dimension of the photovoltaic panels can vary depending on the gauge of the tracks and the Sun-Ways device adapts accordingly.