Switzerland to Launch World First Solar Panels on Railway Track

• The first solar panel system with a detachable component for simple maintenance was created for operational railroad rails.
• Beginning in 2025, the Neuchâtel pilot project will produce 16,000kWh yearly to power nearby residences.
• Eventually, this expandable system might provide 1 TWh of solar energy annually, Supplying 2% of Switzerland’s energy requirements.

By installing detachable solar panels on operational railway tracks, Switzerland is setting the standard for renewable energy in a first for the world. Created by startup Sun-Ways in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Technology Institute (EPFL), this novel system will begin testing on a track in Neuchâtel in 2025. Without requiring more land, the concept might revolutionize solar energy generation by making use of the current railway infrastructure, offering a scalable and sustainable alternative.

An Innovative Solar Carpet

With Sun-Ways’ technology, solar panels may be positioned in between railroad tracks so that trains can travel over them without causing any problems. Joseph Scuderi, CEO of Sun-Ways, stated, “This will be the first time that solar panels will be installed on a railway track with trains passing over them.” Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer will lay the panels using a specially built train that can install up to 1,000 square meters of panels every day.

One of the main advantages of the system is its detachability, which solves a significant problem with earlier infrastructure solar projects. It is easy to remove the panels for necessary maintenance. “The detachable innovation is an important one,” Scuderi stated, highlighting how it addresses a problem that has long barred the use of solar panels on railroads.

A Revolutionary Pilot Project

In spring 2025, 48 solar panels will be put on a 100-meter stretch of track next to Buttes station in Neuchâtel as part of a three-year demonstration project. Sun-Ways expects that the system will produce 16,000 kWh of electricity a year, which is sufficient to power households in the neighborhood. The project, which has a CHF585,000 (€623,000) budget, intends to show the possibilities of solar panels incorporated into railroad systems.
However, because of the current complexity of rail operations, this power will not be fed into the railway system. Scuderi affirmed, “Electricity generated by the PV system will be fed into the power grid and used to power homes,” underscoring the innovation’s wider significance.

Worldwide Possibility

In addition to Switzerland, Sun-Ways has big intentions. “There are over a million kilometers of railway lines in the world,” explained co-founder Baptiste Danichert, highlighting the enormous potential. Our system has the potential to be installed on half of the world’s railways, he stated. This may convert a sizable amount of the world’s railway infrastructure to renewable energy sources. In Switzerland alone, 1 Terawatt-hour (TWh) of solar energy is produced each year, which is equivalent to 2% of the nation’s overall energy requirements.

In addition to the Neuchâtel project, Sun-Ways is investigating the viability of a larger installation on an Aigle private railway line. The business is also looking at international prospects in South Korea, Australia, Spain, and Romania, demonstrating the innovation’s worldwide scalability.

Overcoming Obstacles

The project has encountered skepticism despite its encouraging promise. Concerns over the panels’ longevity, possible microcracks, and fire hazards were voiced by the International Union of Railways. Another concern raised by several opponents was that reflections might divert train drivers. Sun-Ways responded by working to enhance the panels using stronger materials and anti-reflective surfaces. In response to the worries, Scuderi said, “We’ve developed more resistant panels than conventional ones and could include an anti-reflection filter.”
Concerns have also been raised over the weather. Snow and ice could impair the panels’ functionality, according to some opponents. Sun-Ways is working on a solution, though. To ensure that the system can function effectively all year round, Scuderi stated, “We are working on a system to melt frozen precipitation.”

Global Innovation Scaling

Installing solar panels on railway tracks has the potential to drastically lessen the environmental impact of energy projects. This technique circumvents the environmental impact of building new solar farms by making use of already-existing infrastructure. Scuderi pointed out that this is in line with the expanding worldwide aspirations for lowering the environmental impact of energy projects and achieving carbon reduction targets.

Conclusion:

By incorporating solar power generating into railway networks, Sun-Ways’ invention has the potential to completely transform solar power generation. The industry may require a breakthrough as it searches for sustainable, scalable energy solutions, and Switzerland’s innovative solar railway project may be it.

Article Link: https://esgnews.com/