Swiss startup Sun-Ways has successfully launched an innovative pilot project that transforms unused railway track space into a clean energy source. By installing removable solar panels between railway tracks without disrupting train operations or damaging existing infrastructure, the company has demonstrated that rail corridors can serve a dual purpose. This approach eliminates the need for additional land development or rooftop reinforcement while creating a new opportunity for large-scale renewable energy generation.
Developed in partnership with railway maintenance company Scheuchzer AG, the Sun-Ways system uses a specialized installation machine capable of laying up to 300 meters of solar panels per hour. The technology enables the installation of more than 500 panels per day, providing approximately 190 kW of daily installed capacity. The electricity generated can be supplied directly to the power grid, railway stations, or even moving trains.
Sun-Ways founder Joseph Scuderi stated that more than 11,000 trains have successfully passed over the installed solar panels while the system remained fully stable and safe. By utilizing existing railway infrastructure instead of agricultural or forest land, the project introduces a dual-use model that maximizes land efficiency. In countries with extensive rail networks, such as the United States, even limited deployment could unlock gigawatts of additional renewable energy capacity.
Although the custom-designed railway solar panels are currently more expensive than conventional rooftop solar systems, they eliminate the need for acquiring new land, offering a significant long-term advantage. By converting existing railway infrastructure into renewable energy assets without interrupting rail operations, the technology represents a promising step toward more sustainable transportation and clean energy production.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
