“Solar de la Quebrada”: Argentina’s First Solar-Powered Train

The “Solar de la Quebrada” is Latin America’s first solar-powered railway, running 42 kilometers through the Andes with advanced technology and batteries charged with locally generated solar energy.

The train connects six towns in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed valley that has served as a route through the Andes for thousands of years. Launched in 2024, it was designed in part to bring tourists to the communities along the valley — and, most importantly, without adding the emissions of a diesel train.

Despite its name, the Solar Train does not generate electricity from photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on its roof.

The two-car train is powered by six lithium batteries, which are charged using solar energy generated in Jujuy. When it brakes, part of the motion is converted back into electricity and stored in the batteries for later use.

According to the operator, the batteries give the train a range of 100 to 120 kilometers. Two fast-charging points in Volcán and Purmamarca allow operators to recharge along the way. A third is also planned for the northern terminal in Tilcara.

This battery-enabled system allows the train to run without diesel — or even without the overhead power lines typically used by electric railways. So far, the new service has been a success.