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In a pioneering move toward sustainable energy, Switzerland has inaugurated the world’s first solar power plant installed directly on an active railway line. Developed by Swiss startup Sun-Ways, this innovative project features removable solar PV panels laid between the rails, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy integration within transportation infrastructure.
Harnessing Solar Power On The Rails
The pilot installation, situated near Buttes in the canton of Neuchâtel, is comprised of 48 solar panels, each rated at 385 watts, collectively delivering an 18 kW capacity. This setup is projected to generate approximately 16 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, which will be fed into the local power grid to supply nearby homes. Sun-Ways envisions a much broader application of this technology, such as covering Switzerland’s entire railway network with these solar panels.
According to Sun-Ways, the power that is produced by this system can be used in three different ways, depending on how it is set up:
“There are three ways to use the photovoltaic current produced: it can be reinjected into the railway company’s LV (low voltage) network to power the railway infrastructure (switches, signals, stations), it is also possible to reinject the current into the electricity network of the nearest local GRD (Distribution Network Operator) or by reinjecting the current into the traction energy network that powers the locomotives. This last possibility is the one that fits ideally into the mechanized and industrial process of the Sun-Ways installation concept, because it avoids the installation of ground-based inverters and the injected current can also be recovered via the substations.”
A specially designed train, developed in collaboration with Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer SA, facilitates the installation process. This train employs a piston mechanism to unroll the one-meter-wide panels onto the tracks, enabling rapid deployment of up to 1,000 square meters of solar panels per day.
Addressing Operational Challenges
The removable nature of the solar panels is a critical feature, allowing for easy maintenance and ensuring that rail operations remain uninterrupted. The panels are equipped with anti-reflective coatings to prevent glare, and cleaning systems, such as cylindrical brushes mounted on trains, help maintain efficiency by removing dust and debris. Over the next three years, Sun-Ways will conduct comprehensive tests to assess the durability of the panels, their resistance to soiling, and their overall impact on rail infrastructure. These evaluations aim to determine the feasibility of scaling the technology across Switzerland’s extensive railway network.
A Vision For The Future
Over the next three years, Sun-Ways will monitor how the system performs in real-world conditions, from wear and tear to how much dust and dirt affects output. If it all goes well, the company dreams big: covering Switzerland’s entire 5,317-kilometer rail network could produce up to 1 TWh of electricity annually, or about 2% of the country’s total power needs.
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