Varanasi Installs India's First Portable Solar Panels Between Railway Tracks

In a major leap towards sustainable transport, Varanasi has become the first city in India to implement a 15KWp removable solar panel system between railway tracks, as per news reports. This aligns with Indian Railways' ambitious plan to transition to net-zero emissions through renewable energy projects.

India's First On-Track Solar Panel System Launched in Varanasi

Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has commissioned the nation’s first 70-m installation of removable solar panels between train tracks. This project consists of 28 panels producing 15KWp of power. Deployed along the workshop’s line 19, the setup showcases a first-of-its-kind indigenous process designed to install and remove solar infrastructure without disrupting rail operations.

Solar Panel Specifications and Energy Output

The installed panels utilise 144 half-cut mono-crystalline P-type PERC bifacial cells. Each unit measures 2,278 mm in length and 1,133 mm in width and weighs 31.83 kg. The total energy density is 960 units per kilometre per day, with a power density of 240 KWp/KM. This provides an innovative use of previously underutilised spaces between railway tracks, eliminating the need for additional land acquisition.

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Environmental and Operational Benefits

These solar panels are not only removable but also extremely durable and efficient. Their design supports seasonal repositioning for better sunlight capture and allows uninterrupted track maintenance. As Indian Railways owns 1.2 lakh km of tracks, utilising even the yard lines could generate substantial renewable energy up to 3,50,000 units/year/km without spending funds on new land procurement.

Technical Efficiency and Future Scope

The panels offer a peak power output (Wp) of 602 watts, a maximum power voltage of 41.78 volts and a current of 13.24 amps. The module efficiency is recorded at 20.15%, which reflects modern solar technology's adaptability to rugged railway environments. With successful implementation, other zones may soon adopt similar infrastructure.

Conclusion

Varanasi’s implementation of India’s first portable solar panel system between railway tracks marks a milestone towards sustainable infrastructure. The project's removable design and efficient energy generation can revolutionise solar deployment across Indian Railways' vast network and further ease the shift towards carbon neutrality.

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