Authorities in Switzerland have recently approved an ambitious pilot project to install removable solar panels on a railway line in the west of the country. Developed by Swiss startup Sun-Ways, the project will debut in the spring of 2025 on a 100-meter section of a line operated by public transport company transN in the canton of Neuchâtel. The initiative is intended as a significant step towards a more sustainable rail infrastructure and has already attracted interest from other countries.
How does the pilot project work?
As part of the project, 48 solar panels will be installed on the sleepers between the rails, along with the necessary electrical infrastructure. The energy produced will be fed directly into the local electricity grid. Estimated costs for this first test phase amount to around 585,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to 681,000 dollars. Each panel measures 1 x 1.7 meters and is equipped with anti-reflection filters, and all components and wiring are integrated to ensure maximum efficiency. The panels will be installed either manually by engineers or with the help of a special machine developed by the Scheuchzer SA rail maintenance company. This machine has the capacity to install up to 1,000 square meters of solar panels per day, which will allow for rapid expansion of the system.
Significant energy potential
Startup Sun-Ways aims to harness the huge energy potential of Switzerland’s 5,000 kilometers of railway lines. Estimates indicate that the system could generate up to 1 TWh of electricity annually. This could cover almost a third of the Swiss public transport sector’s electricity needs, helping to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 200,000 tons a year.
A removable and patented solution
One of the major innovations brought by Sun-Ways is the demountability of solar panels. In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), the company has patented a unique system that allows each element of the installation to be quickly dismantled for easy maintenance or replacement. This flexibility is a significant advantage over similar solutions already tested by companies such as Greenrail in Italy and Bankset Energy in England, which have experimented with solar panels mounted on railway sleepers.
Impact on the future of green energy in public transport
If the pilot project proves to be a success, Sun-Ways could rapidly expand its technology throughout Switzerland and perhaps even internationally. This innovative solution could transform the rail sector into a major source of renewable energy, making a significant contribution to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. This pilot project marks a new chapter in the smart use of existing infrastructure to generate clean energy, offering a viable alternative for a greener and more sustainable future.
