Trains Are To Go Solar - But Not In Britain

[The_Stig]

European solar energy experts have branded the UK's decision to cut financial incentives as "short-sighted".

It comes as a groundbreaking project is unveiled in Belgium that has seen 16,000 solar panels placed on top of a two-mile railway tunnel.

The section of line near Antwerp is now pumping electricity into the Belgian railway and is generating enough energy to power 4,000 train journeys every year.

It has cost £14m and would work in the UK, but the firm behind it says the coalition Government's cuts to financial incentives make it "unviable".

Bart van Renerghem from Enfinity, the firm behind the solar tunnel, told Sky News: "Apparently the UK Government is more concerned about the Treasury than the mid and long-term carbon reduction objectives that we have.

"Personally, I think it is short-sighted."

Mr van Renerghem's company was planning to install similar projects in the UK but they have now been shelved.

He added: "It is going to remain a small market where Joe Bloggs in the small white van is going to install it on the rooftops.

"They want to be the greenest Government but they don't want to pay for it."

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has prioritised small-scale solar schemes on homes and businesses rather than large solar projects.

Energy minister Greg Barker MP told Sky News: "We want to create a long-term platform for growth.

"Now that does mean that, in the short term, large-scale schemes aren't going to get the sort of funding that we see in Belgium currently."

Mr Barker said the previous Labour government left behind a "basket-case" policy on solar energy but believes the sector still offers big opportunities.

He added: "There are a lot of exciting things in solar but we have got to think it through so that we get good value for the billpayers as well as a great deal for the solar pioneers."

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Solar-Energy-Experts-Slam-Decision-To-Cut-Financial-Incentives/Article/201106116005996?lpos=UK_News_Second_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_16005996_Solar_Energy_Experts_Slam_Decision_To_Cut_Financial_Incentives

 

[LE Greys]

Well, it's a good idea, and solar-roofing the whole of Euston might generate a bit of power, but everyone knows that solar panels don't work at night. You need a backup. Still, assuming we get that backup, I would recommend solar-roofing every non-glass station roof we have, plus all depot roofs. I don't like the idea of covering over lines, however. But that's more to do with the fact that not being able to see out of trains would seriously lessen the appeal.

 

[Aictos]

With Kings Cross, yes the new concourse roof is attractive but imagine the majority of the roof had solar panels, it could end up powering a large amount of the power needs of Kings Cross and Kings Cross St Pancras.

Have a look at Accrington where Accrington now has a eco friendly station:
http://accringtonstation.weebly.com/new-e-co-station.html

 

[LexyBoy]

Why put PV on stations - not only would it look unattractive in many places, but if it blocked out natural light it would be pointless as more lighting would be required! A much better place would be on all the trainsheds and other more 'industrial' buildings.

Solar PV is already being used on the railways and elsewhere where it is best suited - on non-critical installations such as monitoring stations and info points, where the cost of installing a fixed electricity supply can be saved.

He added: "It is going to remain a small market where Joe Bloggs in the small white van is going to install it on the rooftops.

This is because of the way the feed-in-tariff works, which makes it more attractive for home installation than commercial use - something which could easily be changed but isn't because it would cost too much.

 

[LE Greys]

Why put PV on stations - not only would it look unattractive in many places, but if it blocked out natural light it would be pointless as more lighting would be required! A much better place would be on all the trainsheds and other more 'industrial' buildings.

Solar PV is already being used on the railways and elsewhere where it is best suited - on non-critical installations such as monitoring stations and info points, where the cost of installing a fixed electricity supply can be saved.

That's why you only put it on the non-transparent bits of the roof. After all, if it's usually solid tiles up there, no light comes through.

I've just noticed a side article in the Railway Magazine. Blackfriars is getting panels when it is finished.

 

[Crossforth]

Well, it's a good idea, and solar-roofing the whole of Euston might generate a bit of power, but everyone knows that solar panels don't work at night. You need a backup. Still, assuming we get that backup, I would recommend solar-roofing every non-glass station roof we have, plus all depot roofs. I don't like the idea of covering over lines, however. But that's more to do with the fact that not being able to see out of trains would seriously lessen the appeal.

I agree with you completely.

Yes there would be a cost in the short term but think of the money that could be saved in the long run by not needing as much power from nuclear or coal power stations. It is greener, therefore cleaner, and may also mean the public see the train as a more viable option if they think it is a lot greener.

I don't know how much energy would be taken away from power stations but, in the words of Tesco, "Every little helps"

 

[WatcherZero]

Two of my local rail stations are powered by wind turbines.