Solar power is now seen as the next big thing in India. Solar Energy techniques came to light in 2006 and it is now gradually reaching out to all parts of the nation. Since solar panels are a one-time investment with a guaranteed life of 25 years, ‘solar energy’ could make a huge difference in people’s lives in the times to come.
Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station has in the past few years ran through an incredible transformation and has now been identified as a ‘green railway station’ by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Yes, Hazrat Nizamuddin, which comes under the Northern Railway zone, now meets its electricity requirements through solar energy only.
This has resulted in the railway station achieving the environmental-friendly solution. Besides the usage of solar energy, the station has seen an overall transformation in its maintenance, sanitation including passenger amenities which has totally transformed the station.
As per Indian Railways officials who told Financial Express Online, solar panels have been effectively installed across all platforms at the Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. Installed in October 2017, the solar panels have a capacity of 700 kwp. Based on the Public Private Partnership OPPP) model, the solar panels have been taken on lease by the Indian Railways.
With these solar panels, electricity requirements of the whole railway station like the fans, air conditioners, lights is taken care of through the solar energy generation itself. That’s great!
Furthermore, the railway station is illuminated by LED lights which are also deftly powered through solar energy. The yearly electricity production at the station through solar panels is about Rs 10.73 lakh units which means that the electricity cost is saved around Rs 62.88 lakh per year.
Officials say that this has led to a cost-effective production system and also reduced electricity bills through out the year.
The railway officials also explained three main advantages of the installation of solar panels at Hazrat Nizamuddin station. One is that the solar panels on the roof of all platforms made each platform cooler and therefore is no external heat because the sunlight is absorbed by the solar panels and the energy is used efficiently.
These solar panels also brings down the temperature of the platforms, which makes it quite easier the passengers to wait at platforms.
Another advantage is that whole electricity consumption and lighting of the station happens by means of solar energy. Indian Railways goes green!
The highlight is that the solar power generation at the railway station resulted in 60% less energy consumption since the past 1 year.
Power cuts are the most frustrating thing for people these days and many even think that ‘solar energy’ could make a huge difference in the future.
Solar panels are installed in apartments, houses, offices. Four years ago, Bangalore’s Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium became the world’s first solar-powered cricket avenue. Last year, Indian Railways launched it’s first solar-powered train.
