France is experimenting with the installation of solar panels on non-operational train tracks to generate energy.
AREP, a subsidiary of SNCF Gares & Connexions (SNCF), the national railway company of France, is exploring the use of photovoltaic modules on inactive train tracks. This project, named Solveig, began its trial on January 17 in Achères, a municipality in the Yvelines department, in the central-northern region of the country.
During this trial, researchers have deployed a total of 8 solar panels on the rails at the Achères technical center. These solar panels will be evaluated for six months to measure their performance and reliability. The technology is designed not to affect the existing infrastructure or the environment, maximizing the use of unused railway surfaces.
A reversible and innovative system
Solveig is an innovative system based on standardized ISO containers, designed for efficient delivery in various modes of transport, containing eight photovoltaic panels, inverters, and storage batteries. These can be transported to railway tracks by road or rail.
One of the main features of this system is its reversible approach, which allows for installation without the need for construction work, additional foundations, or modifications to the railway infrastructure. This makes it possible to install solar panels temporarily and in a mobile way.
To place and unload the solar panels on the inactive train tracks in Achères, AREP used a telescopic arm. This way, the photovoltaic panels are fixed to the rails, avoiding possible wind damage and ensuring optimal exposure to the sun.
For six months, AREP will evaluate the performance of Solveig in a real railway environment. They will assess both the energy generation capacity of the solar panels and their resistance to environmental conditions and compatibility with railway operation.
If the tests are successful, this system could be deployed on a larger scale on non-operational lines, identified through a solar mapping project led by SNCF’s own subsidiary, providing a reliable and sustainable source of clean energy.
Potential and benefits of the Solveig Project
“We have developed a system for delivering photovoltaic panels using ISO containers and a logistical method for their installation on railway tracks, facilitating their deployment and reversibility,” explained Alistair Lenczner, Director of Innovation Projects at AREP, to PV Magazine France. He highlighted that this mechanism “is modular”.
This system offers various advantages. For example, it contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and allows for the temporary or seasonal use of solar panels at specific sites. This optimizes the use of inactive railway lines, generating electricity efficiently. In addition to this project, AREP is also developing other tools.
The company is working on SolAREP, a solar cadastre that allows to know the production and savings that can be made with a photovoltaic installation on each roof, with the aim of identifying the solar potential of various railway infrastructures. Another ongoing initiative is the installation of solar canopies at stations and platforms.
AREP hopes that these systems will meet localized renewable energy needs, such as maintenance operations. In addition, these solutions represent a significant milestone in SNCF’s ambition to install 1,000 MWp of photovoltaic capacity by 2030. This is part of a broader strategy to meet the electricity demands of the French railway network.
It is relevant to note that 80% of French trains already run on electricity. AREP’s next step is to study the optimization of the system to increase its efficiency and reduce costs.
Cover photo: SNCF/AREP – Yann Audic
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