Swiss startup Sun-Ways has officially launched the first removable solar power plant installed between active railway tracks.
This marks a significant step toward full integration of solar technology into railway networks, with the potential for both national and international expansion.
The photovoltaic system spans a 100-meter section of track in the canton of Neuchâtel. The panels were installed using a special machine developed by partner company Scheuchzer, capable of rapidly deploying up to 1,000 square meters of solar panels within just a few hours.
The electrical connections are built directly into the panels, while cleaning is handled by cylindrical brushes mounted on the rear of trains. The electricity generated is 100 percent renewable, with a long-term goal of feeding the energy directly into the train traction system, thereby maximizing on-site consumption during peak daylight hours when traffic is heaviest.
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The system consists of 48 solar modules with a total capacity of 18 kilowatts and is expected to generate around 16,000 kWh of electricity per year.
“By integrating photovoltaic systems into the railway ecosystem, it becomes possible to directly power trains with renewable energy, as well as supply charging stations for electric vehicles – all while reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing the energy independence of a country’s public transport system,” said Sun-Ways in a statement.
The project follows approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) in 2024, which granted permission to begin testing after a ten-month technical review. The installation represents the first application of this technology under real-world traffic conditions.
The three-year pilot phase will allow Sun-Ways and its partners to gather essential data on system performance and safety. If successful, the system could be expanded across 5,000 kilometers of Switzerland’s railway network.
Energy portal
