Sun-Ways

Sun-Ways, a Swiss company founded in 2021 by Baptiste Danichert and Joseph Scuderi, is commercializing a patented system for installing removable solar panels in the unused space between railway tracks. The firm is headquartered in Ecublens, Switzerland, and operates within the renewable energy and CleanTech sectors, targeting the global railway industry as its primary market.

The core of Sun-Ways' business is a novel industrial process designed to turn extensive railway networks into distributed solar power plants. Its patented technology features a mechanical system that allows for the rapid installation and removal of photovoltaic (PV) panels, which are rolled out like a carpet using a specialized train. This approach ensures that essential track maintenance is not hindered. The panels are pre-assembled in a factory and can be deployed at a rate of up to 1,000 square meters per day, minimizing manual labor. The generated electricity can be fed into the local grid, power railway infrastructure, or supply the traction network that drives locomotives.

The concept was initiated by co-founder Joseph Scuderi in 2020, with technical development supported by the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Switzerland's innovation agency, Innosuisse. After securing a permit from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport, Sun-Ways launched a pilot project in April 2025 on a 100-meter section of track near Buttes, Switzerland. This initial installation, costing approximately CHF 580,000, features 48 solar panels with an 18 kWp capacity, expected to produce 16,000 kWh annually. The company has received grant funding and accelerator backing from organizations like MassChallenge and Venture Kick.

Sun-Ways' business model is centered on providing this turnkey solar solution to public transport authorities and railway operators worldwide. The company is actively pursuing international expansion, with pilot projects being planned with SNCF in France and discussions underway with potential partners in the United States, China, South Korea, and other nations. By utilizing existing, underused infrastructure, the system avoids visual and environmental impacts often associated with large solar farms, offering a dual solution for renewable energy generation and land-use efficiency.

Keywords: solar railway, in-track solar, removable solar panels, railway energy, Sun-Ways, Baptiste Danichert, Joseph Scuderi, CleanTech, renewable energy, railway infrastructure, photovoltaic, solar carpet, EPFL, Innosuisse, MassChallenge, Venture Kick, rail technology, sustainable transport, energy generation, solar power plants, Swiss innovation, track maintenance solar, grid integration