Varanasi has achieved a historic milestone by becoming India's first city to have portable solar panels installed between railway tracks. The Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi has commissioned the country's first removable solar panel system installed between railway tracks as part of Indian Railways' strategy towards achieving its net-zero emission goal through greener and more sustainable transport networks.

The Ministry of Railways announced this achievement on X (formerly Twitter), stating that BLW had commissioned India's first 70-meter removable solar panel system consisting of 28 panels with a capacity of 15KWp between railway tracks. This development represents a significant step towards green and sustainable rail transport in the country.

Technical Specifications and Project Details

The pilot project has been implemented on BLW's workshop line number 19 using an indigenously-designed installation procedure that allows solar panels to be laid between the rails without disrupting train traffic. The installation covers a 70-meter length of track with a total capacity of 15 KWp spread across 28 solar panels.

According to Indian Railways data, the system achieves a power density of 240 KWp per kilometer and an energy density of 960 units per kilometer per day. Each solar panel measures 2,278 mm in length, 1,133 mm in width, and 30 mm in height, weighing 31.83 kg. The panels feature IP 68-rated junction boxes and come with 300 mm length cables with MC4 compatible connections.

The solar panels can handle a maximum system voltage of 1500 volts and are classified as Class A application with Safety class II rating. They incorporate 144 half-cut mono crystalline P type PERC bifacial collar cells with multi bus bar technology, high volume resistivity and low MVTR encapsulation, transparent substrate, and anodized frames.

Electrical Performance Characteristics

The electrical specifications reveal that each panel generates 602 watts of power with a voltage at maximum power point of 41.78 volts and current at maximum power point of 13.24 amperes. The open circuit voltage reaches 49.71 volts with a short circuit current of 15.16 amperes. The modules achieve an efficiency rate of 20.15 percent.

Indian Railways emphasized that these solar panels are not only durable and efficient but also removable, allowing for maintenance and seasonal adaptation. This removable feature distinguishes the system from traditional fixed solar installations and provides operational flexibility for railway maintenance activities.

Potential for Nationwide Implementation

Indian Railways operates a track network spanning 1.2 lakh kilometers across the country. The organization can utilize yard lines for installing solar panels between tracks, creating significant potential for renewable energy generation. According to the railway ministry, this scheme requires no land acquisition as it utilizes the space between existing tracks for solar panel installation.

The ministry projects that this scheme has the potential to generate 3.50 lakh units per year per kilometer of implementation. This calculation suggests substantial energy generation possibilities if the system is scaled across the extensive railway network throughout India.

The initiative aligns with Indian Railways' broader commitment to adopting solar energy as part of its comprehensive strategy toward creating a greener and more sustainable transport network while working toward its net-zero emission objectives.

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