Solar power system installed under the railway

Swiss startup develops project to install detachable solar panels right under railways, expected to be deployed in 2025 .

The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) of Switzerland has granted approval for the country's first mobile solar power system on a railway line , Interesting Engineering reported on October 6. This is the first time such a project has been approved in Switzerland, paving the way for innovative solar energy solutions. The project, developed by Swiss startup Sun-ways, is scheduled to be deployed next year on a 100-meter stretch of railway line 221 operated by Neuchâtel's transN transport company.

Sun-ways' solar technology could transform Switzerland's rail network. (Photo: Sun-ways).

The pilot system will have 48 solar panels, each rated at 380 W, for a total output of 18 kW. The project, which will cost around $686,000 in total , will help supplement the local grid. Sun-ways will work with local electricity supplier Viteos and railway power installation company DG-Rail to build the new system.

Sun-ways said the solar panels can be installed by hand or by a dedicated rail machine from Scheuchzer SA, which can install up to 1,000 ^square meters of panels per day. The system is also designed to be removable, allowing for maintenance work when needed.

Initially, in the summer of 2023, the Swiss FOT rejected the project due to the lack of technical references for the proposed technology. With the support of its partners, Sun-ways invited two mechanical engineering professors from the Vaud State School of Engineering and Management (HEIG-VD). They conducted an independent evaluation of the specially designed prototypes.

Geste Engineering , a Swiss company specializing in large-scale railway projects, then carried out a technical and safety analysis. The goal was to confirm that the system fully met FOT safety standards, as the pilot system would be installed on an active railway line.

According to Sun-ways, their technology offers a viable solution to utilize unused space without disrupting train traffic or interfering with track maintenance. This solution also promotes the development of solar power, in line with the trend of transitioning to clean energy.