Switzerland, known for its remarkable train network, is set to become the first country in the world to install solar panels across railway tracks like a “carpet.”
The green light for this groundbreaking project has been given, and Swiss company Sun-Ways plans to begin installing solar panels on railway tracks in the Neuchatel region by spring 2025. The company, collaborating with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, has developed a removable solar system specifically for this purpose.
Joseph Scuderi, CEO of Sun-Ways, stated in an interview, “This is the first time globally that solar panels will be laid on railway tracks, allowing trains to pass directly over them.” A special mechanical system will be used to install these panels, utilizing a custom-designed train equipped with a piston mechanism to lay meter-wide panels onto the track.
According to Sun-Ways, this three-year pilot project aims to generate electricity from the railway solar panels, which will then be fed into the power grid to supply electricity to homes. The company’s long-term goal is to cover Switzerland’s 5,317-kilometer railway network with solar panels. However, this expansion will depend on the success of the initial pilot.
Sun-Ways is also exploring similar projects in Spain, Romania, and South Korea, demonstrating the potential of this innovative approach to sustainable energy.
