Solar rails in the UK

The newly launched 30 kW solar camp in Hampshire will reduce operating costs and carbon emissions for the Wessex railway.

Engineer checks the solar panels before putting them into operation.(Photo: CNN).

Network Rail Company of England on August 23 installed about 100 solar panels at a location in the town of Aldershot, south of the country. The pilot project with a capacity of 30 kW will directly supply Wessex railway tracks, including signaling and lighting systems.

This is the first rail project powered directly by solar cells (not via grid) in the world. If successful, it will lay the groundwork for larger and more ambitious projects in the future such as the development of electric trains and electric vehicles using solar energy completely.

Solar light camp at Aldershot viewed from above.(Photo: Guardian).

"Reducing dependence on fossil fuels in this way will help reduce operating costs and benefit the local community, while helping us cope with the climate crisis , " Project Director Leo Murray said in a statement.

The Aldershot project is a collaboration between Network Rail National Railway Company and environmental organization 10:10 Climate Action and the UK energy company Community Energy South. Developers plan to expand the project to a megawatt scale, with about 5 to 6 community-owned solar camps by 2020.