Varanasi Makes History With India’s First Solar Panels On Track
Varanasi is making headlines after installing India’s first solar panels on active railway tracks. Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), also called Bareka, is responsible for installing these solar panels. The Indian Railways inaugurated this project on the Independence Day, i.e., 15th of August, and is in line with its commitment towards clean energy and carbon neutrality.
About the Solar Panels
In this one-of-a-kind project, engineers have installed removable solar panels on active train tracks. Maintenance workers can easily remove these panels with the help of 4 S.S Bolts.
The BLW workshop has installed 28 panels of 15 KWp capacity on Line 19 for a 70 metres track length. The solar panels were mounted using rubber which reduces vibration induced due to passing trains. Epoxy adhesives arre used to secure the panel.
The Power density of the panel was stated at 220 KWp/km while the energy density was found to be at 880 units/km/day. This means that such installed panels can generate 880 units of power from 1km installation everyday.
Each installed solar panel measures 2278 × 1133 × 30 mm, while the weight was calculated at 31.83 kg. Indian Railways covers a track length of 1.2 lakh kilometer, and since these panels were installed in between the train tracks, no new land is required for acquisition. With this novel scheme the Indian Railways has a golden opportunity to generate up to 3.21 lakh units/ year/ kilometer.
Indian Railways Pledge for Sustainable energy
India is actively following its pledge of a cleaner and greener Bharat. India is among the leaders of the world in the electrification of Railways. 99% of Indian Railways’ broad gauge network has been electrified. This is higher than the USA as well as China.
India aims to be a net zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) country by 2070. Net zero means that the amount of GHGs that are leaving the atmosphere equals the amount of GHGs gases entering the atmosphere. Thus called net zero.
Although India aims to achieve green targets by 2070, Indian Railways has a much more enthusiastic and busy schedule. Indian Railways needs to be carbon neutral by 2030. With the current dedication towards the electrification and green upgradation of the Indian Railways, it will not be surprising if they achieve this target by 2025 itself.
Railway Minister’s comment
During the formal unveiling of the project Minister of Indian Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw praised Indian Railways for this achievement: “The removable solar panel system demonstrates Indian Railways’ resolve to become the world’s largest green railway. It is a testament to Indian innovation and a model for cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable transit solutions.”
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ initiative of installing solar panels is a unique blend of creative thinking of the highest order and technological innovation. This initiative does not need any additional land to install the panels, but uses the land which is already in use by the Indian Railways.
India can succeed in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero targets, only through innovative ideas like these. Varanasi’s recent breakthrough is not an isolated event but an example of how India can lead the world in green energy innovations.