Switzerland turned its train tracks into solar power plants
6 hours ago
- #solar power
- #railway innovation
- #renewable energy
- Sun-Ways installed the world's first removable solar panels on an active railway in Buttes, Switzerland in April 2025.
- Over a year into a three-year pilot, the panels have endured over 11,000 trains at speeds up to 55 mph, remaining stable, safe, and productive.
- The installation has generated over 16,000 kWh of electricity, enough for 3-4 Swiss households annually, despite operational pauses.
- The pilot proves unused railway space can generate renewable energy without land purchase or tree removal, and without interfering with trains or maintenance.
- Sun-Ways aims for final approval to expand, with interest from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, France, and Italy for potential pilot projects.
- Switzerland's rail network could generate up to 2% of the country's electricity, powering about 300,000 households.