Solar railway tracks generate electricity in Swiss pilot project

Railway tracks are now being successfully used to generate solar energy offering a practical alternative for producing low-cost electricity without occupying farmland, deserts or mountain areas.

In Switzerland, trains are now running over solar panels in the world’s first pilot project of its kind. Near the village of Buttes, a 100-meter section of an active railway line has been fitted with 48 solar panels installed between the rails allowing trains to pass over them without any disruption.

The installation developed by the Swiss startup Sun-Ways is relatively small but its 18-kilowatt capacity can generate approximately 16,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually enough to meet the yearly energy needs of several European households.

Traditionally, the space between railway tracks is unused and filled with gravel. This project aims to transform that otherwise wasted space into a source of renewable energy.

However, the project is currently only a pilot program. If the system proves safe and effective on busy railway lines, it could provide a new way to expand solar power generation without covering agricultural land, forests or mountain slopes with solar panels.

This concept is particularly significant for Switzerland where the need for renewable energy is growing rapidly.

The Buttes project launched on April 24, 2025 has also attracted international attention. Sun-Ways has signed a cooperation agreement with the French rail operator SNCF giving it access to production data, technical results and operational feedback from the pilot project.

If the trial continues to perform successfully, France may soon adopt a similar railway-based solar energy system. Switzerland and France are among the countries exploring innovative ways to increase renewable energy production while making efficient use of existing infrastructure.