Switzerland is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to renewable energy by installing solar panels directly between active railway tracks. This innovative project, led by Swiss startup Sun-Ways, aims to transform the nation’s extensive rail network into a sustainable energy source.
🚄 Switzerland’s Solar-Powered Railway Initiative
In a world-first, Switzerland has approved the installation of removable solar panels between railway tracks. This initiative is spearheaded by Sun-Ways, a Swiss startup that has developed a unique photovoltaic (PV) system designed to be laid out like a carpet along the tracks. The pilot project is set to commence in spring 2025 in the western canton of Neuchâtel, specifically on a 100-meter stretch near the village of Buttes
🔧 Innovative Technology Behind the Project
Sun-Ways’ system involves installing solar panels between the rails, allowing trains to pass over them without disruption. The panels are designed to be removable, facilitating easy maintenance and repairs. A specially designed train, developed in collaboration with Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer, will be capable of installing up to 1,000 square meters of panels per day .
⚡ Energy Production and Environmental Impact
The pilot installation consists of 48 solar panels over a 100-meter stretch of track, expected to produce approximately 16,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually . If scaled across Switzerland’s entire 5,000-kilometer railway network, this technology could generate up to 1 terawatt-hour (TWh) of solar energy annually, supplying approximately 2% of the country’s energy needs .New Atlas
🌍 Global Implications and Future Prospects
The success of this pilot project could have significant global implications. Sun-Ways believes that 50% of the world’s railways could be equipped with their system, potentially transforming unused railway spaces into substantial sources of renewable energy .
