Despite gloomy weather and a sun that played hide-and-seek, Swiss startup Sun-Ways officially switched on its first solar power plant in the Neuchâtel mountains, in the presence of representatives from the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF), the Federal Office of Transport (OFT), the Neuchâtel State Ministry and Head of the Department of Territorial Development and the Environment, Mr Laurent Favre, as well as numerous foreign delegations interested in developing this technology in their countries.
To meet its energy transition targets, Switzerland will need to increase its solar power production sevenfold by 2035, to almost 28 TWh. However, large areas available for photovoltaic power plants are becoming increasingly scarce.
A key solution for the Swiss energy transition
With its 5,000 km of track, the country could :
- Produce 1 TWh/year (equivalent to the consumption of 300,000 households)
- Cover 30% of public transport's electricity needs
- Save 200,000 tonnes of CO2 annually
A potential 3% of the national target
This innovative vision was born of a simple intuition on a train platform in Renens. Looking at the tracks became a source of inspiration for reinventing solar power generation. While other similar initiatives exist around the world, Sun-Ways has now created a world first: a removable solar power plant installed on a railroad line open to traffic..
After a year of tests and analyses carried out at the request of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the project has received all the necessary approvals. Passenger trains will start running over the power station on Monday April 28, 2025.
International interest
Despite the complex geopolitical context, the innovation is already attracting delegations from France, Belgium, Israel, Indonesia and South Korea, who attended the inauguration to consider deployment in their own countries.
A promising pilot project
The Sun-Ways removable power plant is based on 48 solar panels of 385 W each, for a total output of 18 kW and an expected production of 16,000 kWh per year. The electricity will be fed into the public grid 500 meters from the site. Over a period of 3 years, various tests will be carried out on the coating of the solar panels, on soiling and on the impact of the plant on the railway infrastructure. Generally speaking, the aim is to assess whether the operation of a railroad line is compatible with the operation of a removable solar power plant between the rails.
Spectacular deployment with the PUMA machine
The inauguration was marked by an impressive demonstration of the PUMA railway machine, developed by Scheuchzer SA. This imposing machine can install up to 150 solar panels per hour, ensuring fast, efficient deployment of Sun-Ways power plants. A true technical feat that paves the way for the industrialization of the process!
More than a technological project, this achievement is a human adventure supported by exceptional partners. DG-Rail, GESTE, Meccad, RM voie ferrée, Romande Energie, Scheuchzer, Fonds Vitale Innovation des Services industriels de Genève, transN, Viteos, among others, have all contributed to making a reality of an idea considered incongruous just a few years ago. Sun-Ways has also received support from Innosuisse, the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud, Venture Kick, and the label of the Solar Impulse Foundation.
"This is just the beginning," stresses Joseph Scuderi. "We're already working with the HES-SO Valais on a railway Smart Grid to supply trains directly with solar energy."
(Press release)
The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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