A pilot project in Switzerland shows that photovoltaic panels can be installed between the rails without blocking train traffic. The system developed by the startup Sun-Ways has been tested under real-world conditions, and over 11,000 trains have already passed over the installation.
A Swiss startup is testing an unusual solution for solar energy production: installing photovoltaic panels directly between railroad tracks.
The system was developed by Sun-Ways, a Swiss company specializing in photovoltaic solutions for railway infrastructure. The idea is to use the space already occupied by the railroad tracks, without requiring additional land, without encroaching on farmland, and without altering buildings.
The panels are mounted on existing tracks and can feed the energy they generate into the grid, to train stations, terminals, or other railway facilities. In principle, the energy could even be used to power operations related to train traffic, depending on the grid configuration.
Over 11,000 trains have passed over the panels
Sun-Ways founder, Joseph Scuderi, says the pilot project has met its objectives in terms of both rail safety and electricity generation.
“We have met our objectives, both in terms of rail safety and electricity generation. More than 11,000 trains have passed over the solar panels, and the installation has proven to be perfectly stable and safe during their passage,” Joseph Scuderi told Swissinfo.
The main focus of the project is the compatibility between solar energy production and normal railway operations. According to the company, the panels do not interfere with conventional train traffic.
Installation with Specialized Equipment
The panels patented by Sun-Ways are interconnected and can be installed using specialized equipment developed by Scheuchzer AG, a Swiss company specializing in railway infrastructure works and services.
The machine can install up to 300 meters of photovoltaic panels per hour, equivalent to over 500 panels per day, according to data provided by the company.
The stated advantage of this solution is that it adds solar generation capacity without requiring new real estate developments or occupying additional land. Essentially, the existing railway infrastructure would take on a second function: transportation and energy production.
A solution with potential, but still in the pilot phase
The Sun-Ways project is part of a broader trend toward the dual use of existing infrastructure for renewable energy production. Instead of solar panels occupying farmland, parking lots, or rooftops, they could be integrated into spaces already used for transportation.
However, the solution must be tested on a larger scale before it can become a standard option for rail networks. Key questions include installation and maintenance costs, performance under harsh weather conditions, access for track maintenance, panel cleaning, and compatibility with different types of infrastructure.
For now, the Swiss project shows that photovoltaic panels mounted between the rails can coexist with rail traffic under controlled test conditions. If the solution proves to be scalable, it could transform part of the rail infrastructure into an additional source of clean energy.
Share on:
