Swiss startup Sun-Ways has launched the world’s first removable photovoltaic (PV) solar plant installed directly on an active railway track in western Switzerland, with 48 solar panels set to power trains starting April 28, 2024. The 18 kW installation is designed to generate approximately 16 MWh of electricity annually, contributing energy to the public grid located nearby. Approved by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport, the project involved rigorous testing and analysis to ensure its feasibility in real-world conditions. Sun-Ways intends to monitor various factors over the next three years, including the impact of weather and the system’s effects on railway infrastructure, to ensure long-term viability and safety as trains operate over the panels.
While the initiative has sparked excitement for its potential to make trains nearly self-sustaining, with energy generated from the tracks, there are concerns regarding the impact of heavy soiling and mechanical stress on the solar panels from passing trains. Critics argue these factors could diminish energy output and lifespan. Despite these challenges, the startup’s founder envisions a future where solar panels can be proliferated along 5,000 kilometers of Swiss railway, potentially installing around 2.5 million panels. Furthermore, they aim for international expansion into countries like Germany, Austria, and the U.S., exploring the feasibility of similar projects beyond the Swiss Alps.