Innovative Solar Panel Deployment on Swiss Railway Tracks
In a groundbreaking initiative, Switzerland is set to implement solar panels on railway tracks, an unprecedented move that could revolutionize energy production in the rail sector. Swiss start-up Sun-Ways has recently received the go-ahead for a pioneering three-year pilot project in the western canton of Neuchâtel, with construction expected to commence in the spring of 2025.
As the urgency of the climate crisis accelerates the need for an energy transition across Europe, unconventional spaces are being explored for solar energy deployment. Areas such as roadsides, reservoirs, and farmlands are increasingly becoming sites for solar installations, while other companies are experimenting with photovoltaic elements integrated into railway sleepers.
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Sun-Ways stands out as the first company to patent a removable solar panel system, developed in collaboration with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). “This will be the first instance of solar panels being installed directly on a railway track while trains operate over them,” stated Sun-Ways CEO Joseph Scuderi in an interview with SWI swissinfo.ch. The ability to remove these panels is vital, as railway tracks require regular maintenance.
Mechanism of Solar Panel Installation on Tracks
The installation process involves a specially designed train that will deploy the solar panels as it moves along the track. This innovative approach utilizes a mechanical system that allows for the seamless laying of removable solar panels. A train developed by Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer will traverse the rails, effectively unrolling photovoltaic panels along its path. Scuderi describes the process as “like unrolling a carpet.”
This specialized train employs a piston mechanism to unfurl one-meter-wide panels that have been pre-assembled at a local Swiss factory. Remarkably, it can install up to 1,000 square meters of solar panels in a single day.
However, gaining approval from regulatory authorities was not without challenges. Last year, the Federal Office of Transport denied the initial request as a precaution. After a rigorous ten-month period of prototype testing and development, Sun-Ways has finally secured the necessary permits to apply their technology to an operational railway line in Neuchâtel. During the three-year test phase, 48 panels will be installed on a 100-meter stretch of track operated by transN, the public transport company of the canton, at an estimated cost of CHF 585,000 (€623,000).
The electricity generated by this photovoltaic system will be integrated into the power grid, providing energy for local homes. Feeding this energy back into railway operations presents more complexity, prompting this initial decision.
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Potential Energy Production from Solar Panels on Railways
Sun-Ways envisions a vast potential for its eco-friendly innovation. Theoretically, if implemented across the entirety of Switzerland’s extensive 5,317-kilometer railway network, the solar panels could cover an area equivalent to approximately 760 football fields. However, it is important to note that extending this solar coverage into tunnels would be impractical.
According to Sun-Ways, the national rail network could generate an impressive one Terawatt-hour (TWh) of solar energy annually, which would account for around 2 percent of Switzerland’s total energy consumption. Beyond Swiss borders, the company is also exploring similar projects in Spain, Romania, and South Korea. “There are over a million kilometers of railway lines worldwide,” remarked Sun-Ways co-founder Baptiste Danichert in a previous interview. “We believe that our system could be applied to 50 percent of the world’s railways.”
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Despite these ambitious plans, Sun-Ways must validate its pilot project effectively. Concerns have been raised by the International Union of Railways regarding potential micro-cracks in the panels, increased fire risks in vegetated areas, and possible distractions for train drivers due to reflections. Sun-Ways has responded, asserting that their panels are designed to be more resilient than conventional options and may include an anti-reflection filter to minimize distractions for train operators. Additionally, built-in sensors will ensure the panels function properly, while brushes attached to the ends of trains will help keep the surfaces clean.
While some critics highlight that ice and snow could hinder the effectiveness of horizontally mounted panels, Sun-Ways has developed a solution. The company is working on a system designed to melt any frozen precipitation that may accumulate on the panels.