PV Gap

Amber Said:

Roughly how much power does it take to run a MagLev Train?

We Answered:

Your question is difficult to answer. Solar power can power anything, it's just a matter of how many photovoltaic cells it would take. I am sure that it is possible to build a solar farm to harness sufficient electricity to power a maglev train. However, if you are referring to just having solar panels on the train itself, I doubt that would be enough energy to even run all of the internal lighting and operate the doors.

From Wikipedia:

"Hence, the "standard" solar radiation (known as the "air mass 1.5 spectrum") has a power density of 1000 watts per square meter. Thus, as 12% efficiency solar cell having 1 m2 of surface area in full sunlight at solar noon at the equator during either the March or September equinox will produce approximately 120 watts of peak power."

I don't know the exact dimensions of any given maglev train car, but let's just say that it is 3 meters by 18 meters. That is 54 square meters, which during *ideal* conditions could generate no more than 6480 watts of power per car.

Looking at it another way, if the sky is clear, the sun is high in the sky, and all conditions are perfect, you could power 54 light 120-watt light bulbs for each train car (in this made-up scenario). Until solar cells are more efficient, you probably won't see a maglev train powered by its own solar panels.

However, there could be any number of trains, homes, or offices powered by offsite solar panels possibly. Especially if we start collecting solar power on every home's roof, every office's roof, and solar farms.

More information about maglev can be found at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_le…

As can information about photovoltaic cells:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltai…

More information about maglev power consumption:

http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/ar…

Darlene Said:

Was promoting solar powered bullet trains during the SOTU address a bad move for Obama?

We Answered:

High Speed rail in America is the biggest waste of time, money and resources.

It simply won't succeed.

If it has a slim chance of succeeding, the private sector will do it...just like they did with the transcontinental railroad.

The federal government needs to cut spending...not increase it.