The Cool Down portal has compiled 5 innovative methods for using solar panels.
Railway tracks
Switzerland-based Sun-Ways has developed a project to use removable solar panels between the rails on a section of railway track in the Neuchâtel region. The energy generated in this way will be fed into the grid.
The pilot project is set to begin in the spring, according to the company, at a cost of more than $650,000. If successful, the plan is to install more panels using a special machine that can cover 305 square meters per day.
Balcony solar panels are particularly popular in Germany. These are systems weighing around 20 kilograms and can be installed without calling a specialist, including in rented accommodation.
As the authors of the selection note, balcony panels generate only about 10% of the power of standard rooftop systems, but still help offset electricity costs. The energy produced can be sold to the grid or stored at home for future use.
Canopies
US company Skysun offers high-tech canopies with solar panels that simultaneously generate energy from above and provide shade from below. According to the manufacturer, these curved structures can withstand wind and bad weather.
Floating islands
The Portuguese company SolarisFloat has launched 180 interconnected double-sided panels in the Dutch lake Oostvoornse Meer. This “island” covers more than 1,400 square meters.
The design uses low-energy electric motors to track the sun to capture the maximum amount of light to generate energy. In addition to generating energy, the panels create shade, reducing evaporation and the growth of harmful algae and other microorganisms.
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Infrastructure
In the Swiss region of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, 756 solar panels were integrated into a retaining wall next to a road. This sun-facing surface had previously been unused and now produces enough energy to power 52 homes a year.
The project was built taking into account local weather conditions, including winter. In addition, the region makes effective use of solar collectors.
https://focus.ua/digital/686520-5-mest-dlya-ustanovki-solnechnyh-paneley-foto
