Switzerland Powers Trains with Solar Panels Between Tracks

Swiss startup Sun-Ways installed 48 solar panels along a 330-foot section of railway in Buttes, Switzerland, and has been generating electricity since May 2025. The panels sit between the tracks and were designed for easy removal during maintenance. Over a year into a three-year pilot, the installation has withstood over 11,000 trains traveling up to 55 mph without compromising safety or productivity.

The project demonstrates the potential of utilizing otherwise unused land for renewable energy generation without requiring additional land acquisition or deforestation. The current installation produces enough electricity to power three to four Swiss households annually.

Sun-Ways estimates that Switzerland’s rail network could generate up to 2% of the country’s electricity using this technology, and interest is growing internationally with companies from Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and France already exploring partnerships. The pilot is scheduled to run through 2028, but the company hopes to expedite approval for wider implementation.