A year has passed since I first spoke to you of the Swiss startup Sun Ways and his vision of turning train tracks into solar farms. Today, I’m here to tell you how this bold idea is gaining traction. Initial tests of this solar technology have evolved into (somewhat) larger pilot projects, and the results are more than promising. The idea of installing solar panels between train tracks has overcome some technical challenges and is now refining its system for large-scale implementation. It’s an exciting journey into a future where trains not only transport us, but also power our cities. Let’s recap a little bit.
From Vision to Reality: The Journey of Sun-Ways
In March 2023, Sun Ways captured the world's attention with its innovative proposal: using the space between train tracks to install solar panels. A simple but revolutionary idea, it promised to transform the 1,3 million kilometers of railway tracks around the world into potential power plants. The company successfully conducted a series of pilot tests, demonstrating the technical feasibility of the project and overcoming numerous engineering challenges. Currently, the “panelled” track prototypes are validated for train speeds of up to 150 km/h.
Solar technology on the move
The heart of Sun-Ways' innovation lies in its ability to integrate the Solar technology with the existing railway infrastructure without compromising its operation. Solar panels are mechanically installed between the rails using a patented device, combined with a railway machine. This system allows you to deploy up to 1.000 square meters of photovoltaic panels per day, an impressive pace that could significantly accelerate the adoption of solar energy on a large scale.
If implemented on a large scale, this technology could have a significant impact on renewable energy production. Baptiste Danichert, co-founder of Sun-Ways, said that Swiss rail networks could produce one terawatt hour of electricity from solar sources every year, equal to 30% of the total electricity consumption of public transport companies in Switzerland.
Next steps: towards implementation
After last year's tests which aimed only at perfecting the "laying" of the panels between the tracks, now the tiny activated track (just 100 metres away) Mounds, in the canton of Neuchâtel, you can see it in the photo here) will be engaged in further tests. These are load tests, and the reaction to the expansion of the tracks with the change in temperature. Sun-Ways has almost completed this phase too, which will be followed by the next: the implementation on a slightly longer stretch, but of a real railway line. The company is working closely with the authorities and regulators to ensure that the technology meets all safety and operational standards, and refining the design of the panels to maximize their efficiency and durability in real-world conditions.
The advancement of Sun-Ways represents a significant step toward a future where transportation infrastructure not only moves us, but actively contributes to the production of clean energy. This innovative solar technology could revolutionize the rail industry, making it not only a green mode of transportation, but also an active source of renewable energy. As testing continues and the technology improves, we are getting closer to a world where our train journeys could be largely self-powered.