Solar innovation continues to transform the global energy landscape, and a recent breakthrough promises to revolutionize active rails. This innovative technology, which integrates solar panels directly onto rail infrastructure, offers a sustainable and efficient solution to meet growing energy needs.
By harnessing the sun’s energy, this innovation could not only reduce the carbon footprint of rail networks, but also generate substantial savings. Find out how this technological breakthrough is redefining the future of rail transport, while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
First removable solar power plant on active rails approved and installed
In October 2024, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport gave the go-ahead for a one-of-a-kind detachable photovoltaic installation on an operational railroad line in western Switzerland. This global innovation, comprising 48 solar modules each rated at 385 W, is located in Buttes, in the Val-de-Travers region.
It will generate 16 MWh of electricity a year for the public grid, located 500 meters away. This pioneering project could transform the rail sector by making trains almost energy self-sufficient. Sun-Ways, the company behind the initiative, plans to extend the model internationally, with ambitions for Germany, Austria, Italy, the USA and Asia.
Technical features and challenges of the photovoltaic system
The solar power plant in Buttes consists of 48 photovoltaic modules, each with a capacity of 385 W, for a total output of 18 kW. It is designed to generate 16 MWh of electricity per year, supplying the nearby public grid. However, technical challenges remain, including soiling of the panels and mechanical stress caused by passing trains.
These factors can reduce the system’s energy efficiency and durability. Sun-Ways is continuing to test panel coatings and their impact on rail infrastructure to ensure long-term safety. Despite these obstacles, the commercial potential of such installations remains promising, with prospects for international expansion.
Long-term vision and potential expansion of Sun-Ways
Sun-Ways founder Joseph Scuderi envisions a future in which trains are almost entirely self-sufficient in energy, thanks to solar panels installed between the rails. This vision is based on the idea of directly powering the trains’ traction current with the solar energy generated. The Swiss company plans to extend this model beyond Switzerland’s borders, targeting markets such as Germany, Austria, Italy, the USA and Asia.
With 5,000 kilometers of rail track in Switzerland, the potential is immense, enabling the installation of almost 2.5 million panels. This project could revolutionize the world’s rail energy landscape, making trains greener and more economically viable.
