Swiss Startup Develops Removable Solar Panel Installation Project Under Railway Tracks, Expected to Launch in 2025.
The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) in Switzerland has approved the deployment of the country’s first mobile solar power system on a railway line, Interesting Engineering reported on October 6. This approval marks the first of its kind in Switzerland, paving the way for innovative solar energy solutions. The project is being undertaken by the Swiss startup Sun-ways and is set to be implemented next year along a 100-meter stretch of the railway line 221, operated by the transN transport company in the canton of Neuchâtel.
Sun-ways’ solar technology could transform Switzerland’s railway network. (Photo: Sun-ways).
The pilot system will consist of 48 solar panels, each with a capacity of 380 W, totaling 18 kW. The total project cost is approximately $686,000, which will contribute electricity to the local grid. Sun-ways will collaborate with local electricity provider Viteos and railway installation company DG-Rail to build the new system.
Sun-ways stated that the solar panels can be installed manually or using a specialized railway machine from Scheuchzer SA, which has the capacity to install up to 1,000 m2 of solar panels per day. The solar system is also designed to be removable, allowing for maintenance work as needed.
Initially, in the summer of 2023, the FOT in Switzerland rejected the project due to a lack of technical references for the proposed technology. With support from partners, Sun-ways invited two mechanical engineering professors from the Vaud School of Engineering and Management (HEIG-VD) to conduct an independent evaluation of the specially designed prototypes.
Subsequently, Geste Engineering, a Swiss company specializing in large-scale railway projects, conducted technical and safety analyses. The goal was to confirm that the system fully complies with the safety standards set by the FOT since the pilot system will be installed on an active railway line.
According to Sun-ways, their technology provides a viable solution for utilizing unused space without disrupting train traffic or interfering with track maintenance operations. This solution also promotes the development of solar energy, aligning with the trend toward a transition to clean energy.
