From flash floods to wildfires, the impact of climate change has touched every corner of the world, with Europe feeling its effects at an accelerated rate. According to a recent study, the region is the fastest-warming continent, with temperature rising by approximately 0.53°C per decade since the mid-1990s.
The need to prioritize projects that reduce emissions has become more urgent. In response, Switzerland has initiated plans to accelerate its progress towards achieving its climate goals, as it consistently ranks low compared to its European counterparts in solar and wind-generated electricity.
The country is now shifting its energy framework to expedite renewable energy plans, in the form of large alpine projects that leverage its vast terrain, as well as smaller pilots that repurpose existing infrastructure.
How we look to repurpose existing space and infrastructure has become an important part of the conversation when redesigning for a renewable future, and Switzerland has leaned into this idea in meaningful ways. Here’s how:
Switzerland Pushes for Rooftop Solar as New Data Reveals Untapped Potential
Last year, roughly 70% of Swiss nationals voted for a law that requires new buildings with an area of more than 300 sq meters to install solar devices on their infrastructure.
The new rules set to take effect in 2026 include regulations to further accelerate rooftop solar adoption and ease pressure on the grid. Businesses across the country that arguably produce high emissions must prioritize lowering energy costs, making rooftop solar a practical and feasible opportunity.
A report released this month from Planno confirms that Switzerland has more than 60,000 commercial rooftops with nearly 12 GW of untapped solar potential. It suggests that while one in five rooftops currently hosts solar, there remains nearly 7.7 GW of underused solar potential, particularly outside urban areas.
“Solar adoption tends to concentrate in areas near major urban centers, often where solar developers are already active or based,” said Daniel Domingues, Founder and CEO of Planno.
“The numbers point to a strong regional imbalance. Once a few projects are built in a given area, nearby buildings often follow. There’s a kind of local momentum; when solar becomes visible in a neighbourhood or industrial zone, it triggers more interest from surrounding properties.”
The data provided by the AI-powered software company gives clear insight for government leaders, communities, and developers on where solar projects could have the highest impact in powering homes and businesses.
“The new rules are definitely a strong push in the right direction. But meeting the mandate is just the baseline. The real challenge is to do it in a way that makes sense locally. That means identifying rooftops where solar can be installed faster, where it helps meet local demand, or where it supports the grid. That’s where tools like Planno come in,” added Domingues.
Testing the World’s First Removable Solar Rail System
Switzerland’s solar ambitions aren’t limited to rooftops. The country is also finding creative ways to generate energy in unexpected places, including railways.
Swiss start-up Sun-Ways has introduced the world’s first removable solar plant built on an existing railway line that remains open to regular traffic.
An idea that was born on the platforms of Renes, while founder Joseph Scuderi stood waiting for a train. Five years later, 48 panels were installed along the rails, generating electricity that feeds into the local power grid.
“In the long term, our ambition is to produce energy between the rails and re-inject it into the traction current of the trains so that it is practically 100% self-propelled,” says Scuderi.
In April of 2025, Switzerland became the first country to inaugurate a detachable solar track design that addresses concerns related to maintenance. While the project is still in its infancy, the startup believes that solar panels could be installed on half of the rail lines in the world. Sun-Ways is reportedly exploring similar projects in South Korea and abroad.
Harnessing the Power of the Alps
In a historical move, Switzerland is turning its mountainous terrain into one of Europe’s clean energy powerhouses. Through the federal ¨Solar Express¨program, the country is leveraging the Alps to generate solar power even during the winter, when demand is at its peak.
The Sedrun solar park installation is already underway, expected to feature 5,700 panels that will provide energy to about 6,500 homes.
As expected, there is a range of environmental and logistical challenges building along this type of terrain, prone to extreme temperatures and avalanche risks.. However, engineers have designed unique panels to sustain the anticipated thermal changes and heavy snow. The hope remains that the environmental potential of the Swiss Alps, through its extensive solar exposure strengthened by the mirror effects of the snow, makes it a prime location for photovoltaic projects.
With the Alps covering over 60% of the country, this represents a strategic and ambitious move that looks to use the nation’s unique conditions as a renewable asset. If successful, this can provide a path for future solar projects in similar environments in other parts of the world.
It’s clear that Switzerland is making distinct changes to its policy framework to open doors for more renewable projects and push regulations that support meaningful change. With just 9% of electricity consumed in the country generated by solar and wind, it still has a large gap to fill. As energy rules take effect next year, these projects will set an example of how nations can prioritize change by working together with stakeholders.
