A Power Plant on Rails: Switzerland Unveils Photovoltaic Innovation

A few weeks ago, in the municipality of Buttes in western Switzerland, the pilot version of the first solar power plant directly integrated into a railway track was launched. The innovative system from Sun-Ways cleverly utilizes the otherwise unused space between the rails, filling it with removable photovoltaic panels. This effectively connects transportation infrastructure with renewable energy production.

The main idea involves attaching solar panels to sleepers, a process that a specially designed machine can complete in just a few hours. The installed solar panels do not disrupt train traffic in any way and have no negative environmental impact. Integrating photovoltaics into railway infrastructure allows for direct power to trains using renewable energy, simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions and ultimately increasing the energy independence of the entire public transport system in the country.

First Hundred Meters Laid

"We installed the solar panels similar to how one would install them on a house roof," stated Joseph Scuderi, the visionary behind the startup, to Swissinfo.ch at the inauguration of the project's first phase, which took place on April 24, 2025. The pilot installation, made possible by an investment of approximately €625,000, includes forty-eight solar panels, each with a capacity of 385 W, distributed along a one-hundred-meter section of the track.

The trial operation is expected to produce approximately 16,000 kWh of electricity annually, which is the average consumption of four to six households. The energy generated on the rails will be fed into the local distribution grid and is intended to supply nearby households.

In addition to this solution, the startup offers two other options for utilizing the generated electricity. The power can be fed into the railway company's low-voltage grid to power railway infrastructure, such as signaling systems or train stations. The third option is to feed the electricity into the traction current grid that powers locomotives. This solution is the most compatible with the startup's concept, as it does not require the installation of ground-based inverters, and the added current can be drawn from traction power substations.

System Requires Minimal Maintenance

The solar panels can be installed on sleepers manually or mechanically, using a machine from the Swiss company Scheuchzer, which specializes in track maintenance. A specially developed train can install up to 150 panels per hour, laying or removing almost one thousand square meters of solar panels per day.

The panels, measuring 1000 x 1700 mm, are pre-assembled in a Swiss factory. Their installation into the space between the rails resembles rolling out a carpet. This process is demonstrated in the video: https://youtu.be/WBOE4S9LLwM

The system is designed so that the panels are firmly attached and can withstand normal train traffic—the photovoltaic cells integrated into the pilot project are adapted for train speeds up to 150 km/h. At the same time, the concept accounts for track maintenance, making the panels easily removable.

The panels are equipped with anti-reflective surfaces to prevent glare for train drivers. The issue of dust accumulation, which could reduce their performance, is addressed by attaching brushes to the train bogies. This means the panels are automatically cleaned as trains pass, eliminating the need for additional maintenance.

Trial Phase to Last Three Years

The launch of the pilot operation was not straightforward. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport, the responsible supervisory authority, took a cautious stance on the project and approved the installation in Buttes because trains on this line operate at relatively slow speeds, a maximum of 70 km/h.

The office expressed concerns about the potential for micro-cracks in the panels and the possibility of the installation increasing the risk of fires in vegetated areas. It also raised questions regarding the performance of the photovoltaic cells in the event of snow or ice. Sun-Ways asserts that their panels are more durable than standard photovoltaic cells and have built-in internal sensors to ensure proper operation. The startup is also working on a solution to melt snow and ice.

A condition for starting the pilot project was that the testing phase would last at least three years instead of the six months originally proposed by Sun-Ways. The authority wants to monitor the system's operation in real conditions for a longer period and test its functionality in all seasons. Over the next few years, Sun-Ways will conduct comprehensive tests focused on panel strength, resistance to dirt accumulation, and the overall impact of the installation on railway infrastructure. The system installation process is shown in this video: https://youtu.be/Q-cQ6Kf0vdk

Anticipated International Collaborations

If all goes as planned, the startup intends to expand the technology to other sections of railway tracks in Switzerland and abroad. Swiss railways, spanning over five thousand kilometers, could potentially produce up to one billion kWh of solar energy annually, enough to cover the consumption of approximately three hundred thousand households or two percent of Switzerland's total electricity demand.

If, in addition to the space between the rails, the roofs and facades of operational buildings like train stations and platforms were also utilized for solar installations, transport operators could cover 20-30% of their energy consumption from their own sources.

Sun-Ways is confident that this innovative solution could be integrated into up to half of all railway lines worldwide. The startup is already collaborating on similar projects in South Korea, Spain, and Romania, with further potential partnerships emerging in China and the United States. A technology company, in collaboration with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and the Korean National Railway Authority, aims to apply Sun-Ways' technology to approximately 6,600 km of railway tracks in South Korea. Indonesian company Mutitron Automa has also expressed interest in cooperation, planning to implement the innovation on a trial basis in Bogor, Java, with the possibility of gradual expansion across the entire island.