A new pilot project is exploring how railway infrastructure can support renewable energy generation, with photovoltaic panels now being tested directly on active train tracks.

The initiative is led by Swiss startup Sun-Ways in collaboration with SNCF. The system has been deployed on a 100-metre section of railway line in Buttes, Switzerland, where trains continue to operate as normal.

The installation consists of 48 removable solar panels with a total capacity of 18 kW, expected to generate around 16,000 kWh of electricity annually.

What makes this project particularly innovative is its removable design. The panels can be installed and removed quickly, allowing maintenance teams to access the tracks without disruption. Throughout the pilot, the system is being assessed for its impact on railway operations, including maintenance processes, safety considerations such as glare, and overall energy performance.

The testing phase, which runs until 2028, will provide key operational data to evaluate whether this approach can be scaled across wider rail networks.

For railway operators, this concept presents a potential opportunity to utilise existing infrastructure for clean energy production without requiring additional land. If proven viable, solar integration within rail corridors could contribute to broader decarbonisation efforts across the transport sector.