810 solar panels turned Delft campus into the Netherlands’s first completely energy neutral train station. The innovative canopy that is made entirely of solar panels generates all the energy the station needs.

Delft Campus Train station has gone through a complete renovation with two island platforms, four elevators, a safe underpass for pedestrians and cyclists and a new entrance. The solar panels of the huge iconic canopy were connected to the power system on December 20th 2021.

Innovative canopy

The design of the canopy is unique: instead of the usual roof with solar panels on top, the architects created a canopy that is made entirely out of solar panels. The relatively small roof is, therefore, able to generate all the power that is needed for the Delft Campus station facilities like the elevators, announcement system, ticket machines and illumination. The sustainable canopy is an important step in ProRail’s ambition to self-generate all the energy that is needed for stations by 2030.

Iconic design

The batlike roof contains two large awnings that span the tracks and spread on both sides of the platforms like protective wings. The solar panels are placed in the east-west direction creating a surface that is most optimal to catch the sunlight. The roof not only provides the station with all the energy it needs: the shiny black canopy is also a striking landmark that offers shelter to the waiting passengers.

Safe and light underpass

A new underpass for pedestrians and cyclists connects the west and east side of the station. In the light pedestrian area stairs and elevators lead to the platforms. The walls of the underpass are placed outward, allowing daylight to reach far into the tunnel. The transparent elevators allow more daylight to fall into the underpass and create more visibility. The wall on one side of the underpass is covered with greenery, which counteracts graffiti and gives a pleasant, green accent to the station environment.

Mobility
The renovation of the Delft Campus is part of a large programme (Programma Hoogfrequent Spoorvervoer Rijswijk – Rotterdam) to facilitate the growth of train traffic. Every year more and more people travel by train. It is expected that the number of travellers between large cities like Den Haag and Rotterdam will increase considerably in the next couple of years. With this programme, it is possible to ride eight Intercity’s and six Sprinters every hour in both directions as of 2025. For travellers there is no more need to check the schedule, the next train will arrive in minutes.

Read more about the project on: http://www.prorail.nl/delft-campus