1 . Remember solar roadways, where solar panels were embedded (嵌入) in roads? The idea of the solar roadway seems attractive because the solar resource is everywhere, and someday there will be a lot of electric cars that will need charging. But for me, the idea has little to recommend it. There is another kind of road — the railway — that might be a much better place for solar panels. And that’s what is happening in Germany, where the British company Bankset Energy is installing solar panels between the rails.
As estimated, 100 kilowatts of electricity can be generated per kilometer of railway line. Since the rail network in Germany is over 60,000 kilometers long, the power that can be generated is comparable to the output of five nuclear power plants in total.
But, why is putting solar panels is a railway better than a roadway? Trains generally stay on the rails, so there is no need to have solar panels designed to take any serious load. Although there is a serious amount of vibration, the panels wouldn’t shake apart. Railways usually own their rights of way and restrict access, so they have much better control. They also own the electrical infrastructure, which is right overhead and can directly use the electricity. German railways have been trying to justify hydrogen-powered trains because it was too expensive to electrify many of their lines. Turning their rail beds into power sources might change the economics.
On the other hand, rail rights of way are generally a lot wider than the tracks; it might make more sense to fix the panels next to the tracks, pointing in the right direction instead of lying flat. German Rail is already a huge consumer of solar power from more conventional installations.
1. What does the author think of solar roadways?
| A．He thinks they are attractive. |
| B．He shows disapproval of them. |
| C．He believes they are underused. |
| D．He figures they are energy-saving. |
2. What can we infer from the numbers in paragraph2?
| A．The solar railway has won wide recognition. |
| B．Germany is leading the world in rail transportation. |
| C．Fixing solar panels on railways in better than on roadways. |
| D．The solar railway has great potential for generating electricity. |
3. What is the advantage of solar railways over solar roadways?
| A．The length of the railway. |
| B．The lower installation costs. |
| C．The safety of the solar panels. |
| D．The wider use of the electricity. |
4. Which one could be the best title for the text?
| A．German roadways start to go downhill. |
| B．Solar railways are coming down the line. |
| C．German railway are facing a great challenge. |
| D．Solar energy becomes a cost-competitive alternative. |
