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104 days ago

Swiss Startup Pilots Solar Panels on Active Railway Tracks

Swiss Startup Sunways Pilots Solar Panels on Active Railway Tracks

In an innovative first, Swiss solar technology startup Sunways has launched a pilot project installing photovoltaic (PV) panels on active railway tracks in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Approved by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the installation spans 100 meters on railway operated by transN.

The project involves 48 specialized solar panels equipped with anti-glare coatings to ensure safety and designed to be removable for railway maintenance. Trains passing by will also clean the panels using installed brushes, maintaining efficiency without disrupting rail operations.

The solar power produced—around 18 kW capacity and 16,000 kWh annually—can be used to power railway infrastructure like switches and signals, feed into the local electricity grid, or supply traction energy for locomotives. This flexibility maximizes the value of solar energy generated on-site.

Initial concerns from FOT about the impact on railway safety and maintenance were addressed through independent safety studies and collaboration with railway experts. With installation handled by Scheuchzer SA, capable of installing up to 1,000 square meters of solar panels daily, the project is poised for rapid scaling if successful.

This project highlights a promising pathway to increase solar power production in Switzerland without impacting the sensitive Alpine environment, where solar expansion has faced opposition.

If scaled across the country’s railways, this innovation could provide about 2% of Switzerland’s electricity needs, marking a significant step toward decarbonizing transport and energy sectors.

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