Italy has unveiled Europe's first solar-power train, according to Italian News Agency ANSA on Thursday.

The solar panels on the train's roof do not drive it but provide energy for its air conditioning, illumination and safety systems.

Italian Environment Minister Altero Matteoli said the first ten prototypes would pave the way for "significant" developments in the future.

The CEO of Italian train company Trenitalia, Roberto Testore, said it was "looking with interest to the solar power sector, with a view to producing vehicles on an industrial scale."

Solar panels are already used to provide a portion of train power in Japan. A miniature railway in Wales is wholly powered by solar energy.

At Thursday's presentation, Testore also said Trenitalia was investing heavily to renew its fleet and raise safety levels.

He said the number of accidents had dropped by half in the last eight years.

Source: Xinhua