A roughly 100-metre stretch of active railway in Buttes, in Switzerland’s canton of Neuchâtel, hosts a pilot solar installation fitted between the rails. Sun-Ways, a Swiss startup, developed the system on a line managed by regional operator transN, and it was inaugurated on 24 April 2025. Since then, more than 11,000 trains have passed over the panels without a reported safety or maintenance incident, information from Swissinfo.
The project tests whether existing railway corridors can generate renewable energy without taking additional land for farming or development, including protected areas. The panels sit between the rails, outside the trains’ wheel paths, while ordinary services continue. Their removable design is intended to let crews inspect the track and carry out other maintenance, including sleeper replacement. The trial tests how solar equipment performs alongside railway operations; it does not show that every rail corridor is suitable.
Solar Power Without Land Loss
The Buttes installation has 48 photovoltaic panels, each rated at 380 W, giving it a total capacity of about 18 kWp. Positioned between the rails, the modules are designed to withstand vibration and weather, as well as airflow from trains travelling at up to 90 km/h on this section. The system must also fit around track drainage and ballast while meeting maintenance requirements. SNCF, the French rail operator, has reportedly taken part in technical evaluation, including checks on glare and panel placement, alongside monitoring maintenance and dirt accumulation.
Since May 2025, the system has supplied more than 16,000 kWh to the local grid, despite a month-long pause for snow and technical work. The electricity goes to the public grid, not directly to railway traction. Sun-Ways estimates that suitable sections of Switzerland’s rail network could eventually generate up to 1 billion kWh annually, or around 2% of the country’s electricity demand. That projection concerns a hypothetical wider deployment, not output from the small Buttes pilot. Its performance over time will help show whether expansion is practical.
Removable Design for Rail Operations
A basic feature of the system is its modular, removable design. Railway work can require direct access to rails and sleepers for inspection or other jobs, including replacement and welding. Sun-Ways founder Joseph Scuderi says a six-metre module comprising three panels can be disconnected from the grid and removed in about 10 minutes. Specialised machinery developed by railway engineering firm Scheuchzer installs and removes the modules, preserving access for maintenance while trains continue to use the line outside work periods.
The panels are also exposed to dirt and debris. Sun-Ways initially considered a brush-based cleaning system, but the company says airflow from passing trains has helped keep the modules clear of dust, reducing the need for manual cleaning. Long-term performance will depend on energy output, the system’s durability and maintenance demands, as well as whether crews can remove it when track work is needed.
Scaling Up: The Next Challenge
One technical challenge is moving electricity efficiently over longer distances. Julien Pouget, an associate professor at the University of Applied Sciences of Valais, has noted that stretches longer than 500 metres require specialised electrical infrastructure to raise voltage and limit losses. Any wider deployment would also need to work with local track geometry and weather, fit existing drainage and access arrangements, and meet railway safety requirements.
International interest is growing. SNCF is expected to keep monitoring the Swiss pilot until at least April 2028, and discussions have reportedly taken place with Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and partners in Asia. Italy has been mentioned as a possible location to explore a comparable project, but that is not the same as an approved or operating installation. Sun-Ways is working to shorten the experimental phase and secure final regulatory approval. The Buttes project offers a real-world case for assessing solar generation on railway infrastructure; its results will help establish whether the approach can be adapted elsewhere.
New uses of existing infrastructure are gaining attention across Europe. A recent analysis examined how overlooked features in everyday appliances can affect efficiency, including the hidden tab in washing machines that affects laundry results.
