Switzerland has launched a groundbreaking experiment: installing removable solar panels directly onto active railway tracks. This first-of-its-kind pilot marks a leap forward in building multifunctional transport corridors and clean-energy infrastructure.
Innovation unfolds in Neuchâtel
Near Buttes, canton Neuchâtel, startup Sun-Ways has fitted photovoltaic panels between rails on a 100‑metre stretch of regional track. On April 25, 2025, the system officially went live, becoming the first solar installation on active train lines to be approved by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport.
A design that adapts
The array includes 48 solar panels, each rated at 380 W, totaling around 18 kW. What sets the system apart is its removable design – panels can be rolled out or retracted using a specialized train, enabling routine track maintenance.
To ensure reliability, the panels feature anti-reflection coatings, and train-mounted brushes keep them clean. Prior trials addressed safety, maintenance, and glare concerns before the final approval.
Power numbers & trial goals
The installation is expected to generate around 16 MWh annually, enough to power 4–6 households each year. Over the next three years, Sun-Ways will monitor performance, examining panel durability, rail compatibility, and train interaction.
Why it matters
This pilot proves that transport routes can do double duty: they can carry passengers and generate electricity. It eliminates the need for extra land and provides new options for renewable power in densely populated areas.
Swiss officials estimate that scaling similar installations across nearly 5,000 km of track could generate 1 TWh per year, covering about 2 % of the country’s electricity needs.
Eyes on the world
Interest in the model extends far beyond Switzerland. Delegations from France, South Korea, Belgium, Indonesia, Israel, and elsewhere attended the inauguration, exploring potential replications. Sun-Ways is already in talks with partners in Spain, Romania, China, the U.S., among others.
Challenges ahead
The project has not been without criticism. Concerns around glare, micro-damage to panels, fire safety, and potential risks to train crews have been raised. Sun-Ways responded with rigorous testing, independent safety assessments, and anti-glare coatings.
Looking forward
If successful, the pilot could help shift transport infrastructure into a new energy frontier. Swiss railways could become net-zero corridors, merging mobility with local renewable generation.
This blend of engineering ingenuity and clean-energy ambition makes Switzerland’s solar‑rail project one of the most innovative pilots globally—and one worth watching closely.
