Switzerland has taken a big step in green energy by testing solar panels placed between active railway tracks. A Swiss start-up called Sun-Ways installed the world’s first removable solar power system on a train line in Buttes village in April 2025. The 100-metre pilot project uses 48 special solar panels with a total capacity of 18 kWp.
The panels sit flat between the tracks so trains can run over them safely. Electricity produced goes straight into the local power grid. In its first year, the system generated about 16,000 kWh of clean power. This is enough electricity for an average home for a full year. More than 11,000 trains passed over the panels without any problems.
The removable design is a smart feature. Workers can lift the panels easily for track repairs or checks. The panels are stronger than normal ones and have anti-reflection coatings to avoid glare for train drivers. Special brushes on trains help keep them clean.
Switzerland has over 5,300 kilometres of railway lines. If covered with these panels, they could produce around one terawatt-hour of electricity every year, equal to 2% of the country’s total power use. One kilometre of track could generate about 200 MWh annually.
The successful trial may lead to a permanent system in Switzerland. Sun-Ways is already planning projects in Italy and South Korea, and is talking with other countries like India, China, and the Netherlands. This idea could help Europe and the world produce more renewable energy without using extra land. It shows how railways can do more than carry passengers; they can also generate clean power.