[jmward01]

This is a great example of the solar ecosystem finding new niches. Tracks are likely good because there is already constant maintenance and inspections on them as well as ready hookup to the grid or, as the article mentions, directly providing power for trains. The point here isn't that this is 'the most efficient way to use solar' it is that it works and provides benefit. It is like agrovoltaics. The solar production is lower than a dedicated solar installation, but the dual use of the land and potential secondary benefits make it worth while. It looks like this could even get to the point where solar could actually power the trains completely assuming this expanded a little beyond just the track surface which could be interesting for the design of trains.

[marysol5]

Solar Naysayers are so odd. "If it's not a 100% PERFECT solution we shouldn't do it"

[everyday7732]

It's more like. "This is significantly more complicated and expensive than the obvious simple solution we already have". The same money that is being spent on this project could instead be spent installing much more solar on rooftops or solar farms. In an ideal world we would try both but in this world we have limited budgets and time.

There are interesting aspects to the project like the idea of the train being able to clean the panels as it goes over them, or having a pre-made track for easier install and maintenance, but these seem quite minor when you consider the number of obstacles (increased mechanical strain, possibility of damage, non-optimal angle, hard to schedule maintenance around train times, maintenance is more dangerous, all the panels are placed linearly so you need extra cable routing, large efficiency losses when you're trying to transport low voltage electricity from remote areas).