SNCF Group has partnered with Swiss startup Sun-Ways to pilot a pioneering renewable energy initiative that installs movable solar panels directly between railway tracks. Launched in Buttes, Switzerland, the project utilizes 48 solar modules across a 100-meter stretch of track to evaluate the feasibility of generating electricity from unused transit infrastructure. As France’s primary electricity consumer, SNCF aims to leverage this technology to meet its massive energy demands while optimizing its extensive land holdings. This trial, scheduled to run until 2028, will provide critical data on maintenance impacts and technological performance.
The collaboration between SNCF and Sun-Ways focuses on transforming the space between rails into a productive energy source. The pilot installation in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel features solar panels with a combined capacity of 18 kWp. Each of the 48 panels produces 380W, demonstrating how existing railway corridors can be repurposed without interfering with daily train operations. SNCF Réseau and the Group’s Technology and Innovation Division are currently monitoring the equipment to determine how these installations affect standard track maintenance procedures.
For SNCF, the project is a strategic move to address its status as France’s largest electricity consumer and second-largest property owner. The company currently manages 100,000 hectares of land and approximately 12 million square meters of built space. Since 2023, a dedicated subsidiary has been exploring ways to deploy solar power across this vast portfolio. By utilizing the specific “dead space” between rails, the company hopes to significantly contribute to its annual power requirements while reducing its carbon footprint.
The experimental phase in Buttes is set to conclude in April 2028. During this period, engineers will refine their technical expertise and assess the durability of the movable solar panel system under real-world conditions. If successful, the modular nature of the Sun-Ways technology could eventually allow for large-scale deployment across the French rail network, turning thousands of kilometers of tracks into a decentralized power plant.