Switzerland: The start-up Sun-Ways has installed 48 removable solar panels with a total output of 18 kW on a railway section near the city of Neuchâtel.
The PV panels are supposed to generate 16,000 kWh of energy annually, which will be fed into a local power grid and provide the nearby homes with electricity. In the future, the produced energy could also be used to power trains.
48 removable solar panels installed in the area of Neuchâtel. Source: Sun-Ways
According to the developers, track-mounted solar panels are not a new idea, but the company’s innovation is distinguished by a faster and cheaper installation process and the possibility to remove the panels for track maintenance. The mounting itself is performed by the local producer Scheuchzer’s PUMA track machine, which is rolling out 150 solar panels per hour.
48 removable solar panels installed in the area of Neuchâtel. Source: Sun-Ways
Over a period of 3 years, Sun-Ways plans to conduct various tests on soiling, reliability and compatibility with the railway line operations. Meanwhile, it has been previously mentioned that the PV panels will be cleaned with brushes attached to the trains.
