By KENJI TSUJI/ Staff Writer
January 5, 2025 at 18:10 JST
The Tokaido Shinkansen N700S (Provided by JR Tokai)
NAGOYA--The operator of the Tokaido Shinkansen Line plans to install next-generation, thin solar cells on noise barriers along its tracks.
Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) expects to use electricity generated by the novel move to power lighting at stations and other rail-related facilities, for example.
The noise barriers cover about 650 kilometers of track.
Demonstration experiments will start at a research center in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and elsewhere this month, using perovskite solar cells jointly developed with Sekisui Chemical Co.
Perovskite solar cells are lighter and more flexible than conventional silicon solar cells.
They can be installed on walls, windows and even curved surfaces.
For the experiments, prototype solar cells will be subjected to levels of vibration and wind pressure expected from a bullet train passing at high speed.
Photovoltaic performances will also be tested in other outdoor environments.
The Tokaido Shinkansen Line generally runs in an east-west direction between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations.
Plans call for solar cells to be installed on guide rails attached to the outer side of the south-facing noise barrier walls.
JR Tokai will consider how to put them into practical use based on how its experiments proceed.
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