Switzerland puts Sun-Ways technology on the rails

The technology developed by Sun-Ways exploits the unused space between the two rails of a railroad track to install solar power plants, without disrupting train traffic or track maintenance and inspection work. Two features that make it unique: It can be installed either manually or mechanically, using a railway machine specially designed by Scheuchzer SA; this machine can install up to 1,000 m2 of solar panels per day. It is removable, i.e. all or part of a Sun-Ways solar power plant can be quickly removed for maintenance work, before being replaced so that it can operate again.

It took the FOT's experts ten months to examine the application for authorization submitted by transN, Public transport in the canton of Neuchâtel, which will host the pilot project. In the summer of 2023, the Federal Office of Transport had initially refused to enter the matter, as a precautionary measure, not having any technical references on which to base its decision. However, the start-up, backed by recognized industrial partners in the rail and energy sectors, called on two mechanical engineering professors from HEIG-VD to carry out an independent assessment on prototypes specially built for the occasion, thus completing the technical and safety files drawn up by GESTE Engineering, a company specializing in large-scale rail engineering projects.

It should be noted that the FOT's authorization is subject to a few technical conditions, including a series of additional tests and measurements to be carried out throughout the operation of the pilot project, to ensure that there will be no damaging impact on the railway infrastructure. Similarly, removal and installation tests will be carried out to demonstrate that the Sun-Ways pilot installation is perfectly suited to the constraints associated with maintenance work and line operation. These tests will be carried out under the supervision of RM voie ferrée, a company specializing in railway inspection and safety.

The installation of the solar power plant and the electrical connections to the local grid will be carried out in spring 2025 by Viteos, the electricity distributor in the canton of Neuchâtel, and DG-Rail, a company specializing in railway electrical installations.

Service for private railroads

In Switzerland, Sun-Ways has developed a special service for owners of private, non-trafficked railroads providing access to warehouses or industrial estates. For example, the municipality of Aigle has agreed to carry out a feasibility study to install a 288 kWp Sun-Ways solar power plant on a 1,500-metre section of private railroad track serving its industrial zone, to be financed by an external investor.

This market segment is reacting very positively to the Sun-Ways offer, and discussions are underway with several companies with private railroads, as this makes it possible to make the most of unused land, save at least 50% on the price of electricity at the plug, reduce its carbon impact and make a concrete contribution to the development of solar energy.

Awards and further pilot projects

Sun-Ways was able to gain notoriety by taking part in various start-up competitions. It was supported by Venture Kick and has just won two innovation prizes in France, one awarded by the Powr Earth Foundation and the other by the Equans group. More concretely, pilot projects are taking shape with the SNCF in France, but also in Spain, Romania and South Korea, and discussions are already underway with potential partners in China, Thailand, Australia and the USA.

(Press release / SK)
Picture: Sun-Ways Sarl