Roof-Top Solar Photovoltaic Integration on Trains Supplying Auxiliary Power Systems: A Real Case Study

Global transportation significantly contributes to carbon emissions, with rail transport being no exception. The increasing adoption of photovoltaic (PV) panels for diverse applications has garnered attention due to their potential to alleviate environmental impacts. Rail transport, characterized by high power consumption, positions trains as ideal candidates for a transition to fully sustainable energy sources. However, direct rooftop mounting of PV panels on trains has been underexplored due to lower production power levels compared to the requisite traction power in the order of Megawatts. This research examines the feasibility of installing PV modules on a regional train traveling from Milano Cadorna to Saronno using PVSOL software. Results indicate that this approach can supply up to 9.8% of the train s auxiliary power, exceeding 600 MWh annually, and reduce more than 27 tons of CO2 emissions per year.