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Epa095 2 hours ago

  Initially, he planned to remove dust from the surface of the photovoltaic cells using a cylindrical brush mounted on the rear of a train. “However, we realised that each time a train passes, it creates an airflow that sweeps away all the dust,” he said.
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/emissions-reduction/solar-energ...
zdragnar an hour ago | parent [-]

That seems pretty optimistic in the long run. Even a high power leaf blower won't get all the dust off of a dirty surface, especially if any sort of hydraulic oil, bearing grease or other viscous fluid mists onto the surface.

Ma8ee 25 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

One thing that has struck me with our own solar panels is that they have to be very dirty before I notice any significant degradation in efficiency. And when they do get completely covered in pollen or leaves, a brief rain is usually enough to clean them.

happosai an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

At least trains no longer drop literal shit between rails...