World's first removable solar plant on rail lines

April 28, 2025

A Swiss company commissioned a removable solar installation on an operational railway line in western Switzerland, comprising 48 photovoltaic modules rated at 385 W each, in what is described as the world’s first track-mounted solar array designed for active rail traffic.

The 18 kW installation is expected to produce 16 MWh of electricity per year, supplying power to the public grid located 500 meters from the site, with passenger trains scheduled to begin running over it on April 28.

Solar installation to deliver 16 MWh annually to public grid

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport approved the removable PV plant in October 2024, after which it underwent a series of tests and analyses required by the agency, securing all necessary permits. Sun-Ways plans to continue testing over the next three years, focusing on panel coatings, soiling, and the system’s impact on rail infrastructure, with the goal of verifying the long-term safety of operating trains over a track-mounted solar array.

An international research team recently carried out a technical and economic assessment to evaluate the viability of installing PV systems between or alongside railway tracks for rural applications. Their findings suggest that, despite frequent skepticism, such projects are not only technically feasible but could also offer strong commercial potential. 

However, critics have highlighted two major concerns that could limit the performance of solar panels installed on or near railway tracks: heavy soiling and intense mechanical stress caused by trains passing overhead. Both factors have the potential to significantly reduce energy yields and shorten the overall lifespan of the system, raising questions about the long-term viability of such installations.

Making trains nearly self-sustaining with track-mounted solar panels

According to the company, the system has enormous potential, with growing support for installing panels on railway tracks. In the long term, Sun-Ways founder and director Joseph Scuderi envisions generating energy between the rails and feeding it directly into the traction current of the trains, making them nearly 100% self-sustaining. During the day, the trains run while the panels produce electricity.

Using a specialized train from its partner Scheuchzer, Sun-Ways carries out the installation mechanically. The machine is capable of installing nearly 1,000 m² of solar panels in just a few hours, making the process both quick and cost-effective, according to the Ecublens-based startup.

The project at Buttes, in the Val-de-Travers, involves 100 linear meters of a TransN rail line, with 48 solar panels to be installed. The electrical connections are integrated within the panels, and a cylindrical brush cleaning system at the end of the train ensures panel cleanliness.

Sun-Ways’ Scuderi envisions expanding this model globally, noting that if limited to Switzerland, there are 5,000 kilometers of railways, potentially allowing for the installation of nearly 2.5 million panels. Furthermore, the Swiss startup aims to expand its reach beyond the Alps, with plans to target Germany, Austria, Italy, the U.S., and Asia in the coming years.