Swiss startup Sun-Ways has launched what it claims to be the world’s first removable solar power plant installed on active railway tracks, located in the Neuchâtel mountains. The plant consists of 48 solar panels, with a total output of 18 kW, and it is expected to generate around 16 MWh of electricity per year to feed into the public grid. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport approved the project in October 2024 after rigorous testing and permit acquisition, allowing passenger trains to begin using the tracks above the solar installation from April 28. Over the next three years, Sun-Ways plans to conduct studies on the durability of the panel coating, impacts of soiling, and the overall influence of the system on rail infrastructure.
An international analysis has suggested that deploying photovoltaic systems alongside railway tracks can be economically viable and technically feasible. Researchers addressed concerns regarding the potential mechanical stress from passing trains and heavy soiling affecting system performance. They noted that rail infrastructure in certain regions, like Bangladesh, typically incorporates softer soil conditions that can mitigate vibrations from train traffic. The findings of this study were presented in the research publication “Techno-economic study of a photovoltaic power plant besides the railway track for rural uses in Bangladesh,” highlighting the project’s potential for future renewable energy solutions along railways in various countries.