Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity. Solar Energy techniques came to light in 2006 and it is now slowly reaching out to all parts of the world. Since solar panels are a one-time investiment with a guaranteed life of 25 years, ‘solar energy’ could make a huge difference in people’s lives in the times to come.
Talking about the virtual importance of solar technology in India, we have witnessed more of them in key places. Solar panels are installed in apartments, houses, offices, stadium, railway station and now it’s being implemented on trains as well. Thanks to Indian Railways for taking the right step.
Indian government wants to harness the maximum use of solar energy as possible and so the idea to test the first ever train perfectly fitted with solar panels. Indian Railways launched first solar-powered DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) train last year from the Safdarjung railway station in Delhi. It is learnt that over 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp, are fixed in six coaches.
The cost solar panels, manufactured under ‘Make in India’ initiative, is estimated to be around Rs 54 lakhs. Interestingly, the train has a massive power back-up and can travel on battery for at least 72 hours.
Indian Railways has saved around 1.2 lakh kilo litre of diesel and 672 crore rupees last year with the effective use of solar panels. Also, the solar power helped in reducing 2.7 lakh tonnes of carbondioxide emissions.
Railways also planned to make use of the solar energy to good effect by utilising roof-top space of railway stations, other railway buildings. Railways also proposed to generate 1000 MW solar power in the next five years. Essential steps are being carried out to install solar plants.
Guwahati now has India’s first railway station operated by Solar Power
Guwahati now has India’s first railway station fully operated by solar power. It is cognisance of the fact that roofs of the railway station are so long enough. It’s a brilliant way of utilising power from the sun.
The biggest solar-powered project with an aim of installing solar panels was commissioned last year in April 2017. It is learnt that around 2352 solar modules with a capacity of generating 700 kwp has been fixed over the roof of the Guwahati railway station.
The main of introducing this project is to reduce carbon footprint, increase energy consumption, also to cut down power costs to a great extent. According to a survey, around 6.3 lakh kg Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been cut-off between April 12 last year to May 10 this year.
According to Indian Railways, the total project cost is estimated to be INR 6.7 crores. The biggest advantage of this project is that it could save Rs 67 lakh worth of electricity. Ever since it’s operation, the solar plant has generated 7,96,669 KWH of power from 12 April 2017 to 10 May 2018.
After Guwahati, many other states are expected to come up with this technique of implementing it in the famous railway stations as well in the hope of saving a lot of electricity.
