Key facts
- Switzerland has successfully trialed the world's first solar railway, fitting 100 meters of photovoltaic panels between active tracks.
- The Swiss trial produced around 16,000 kWh in its first year, comparable to an average UK home's annual electricity usage.
- Sun-Ways, the company behind the trial, has signed a collaboration contract with an Italian partner to explore a similar project in Italy.
- The solar panels used are specially designed with anti-reflection filters and built-in sensors for safety and efficiency.
- Sun-Ways estimates that rolling out solar panels across Switzerland's entire railway network could produce 1 TWh annually, about 2% of the country's energy consumption.
Italy is considering building solar railways, following a successful trial by Swiss startup Sun-Ways. The company installed 100 meters of photovoltaic panels between active tracks in Switzerland, which produced approximately 16,000 kWh in its first year. Despite a potential 10% loss in efficiency due to the lack of inclination, the results have been positive enough to likely lead to a permanent system.
Sun-Ways has now signed a collaboration contract with an Italian partner, with plans for a pilot project in Italy expected soon. The company also has government approval for a solar railway in South Korea and is in discussions with potential partners in the Netherlands, China, India, and Singapore.
Concerns regarding the safety and efficiency of solar railways, such as micro-cracks, fire risks, and driver distraction, have been addressed by Sun-Ways through the use of more resistant panels with anti-reflection filters and built-in sensors. Brushes on trains are also designed to remove dirt from the panels. The company reported that the pilot plant worked perfectly in its first year with no special maintenance required.
In theory, Switzerland's entire 5,317-kilometer railway network could be covered with solar panels, potentially producing 1 TWh of electricity annually, representing about 2% of the country's total energy consumption. This development aligns with Europe's broader embrace of renewable energy infrastructure.