India's FIRST Solar-Powered Train Tracks Unveiled! See the Green Revolution on Rails

Renewables

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Updated on 12 Nov 2025, 05:31 pm

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has achieved a significant milestone by installing solar panels directly on railway tracks for the first time in India. This pilot project, named "Solar on Track," is implemented at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai. It features 28 solar panels, each with a capacity of 550 Watt peak, installed over a 70-meter stretch on the Pit Wheel Track. The total capacity of this initial installation is 15.4 kWp.

This system is projected to generate approximately 17,500 kWh of energy annually. Critically, it is expected to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 16 tonnes each year, underscoring NCRTC's commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient operations.

The initiative leverages otherwise unused track space and aligns with NCRTC's broader objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its facilities. Currently, NCRTC aims to source about 70% of its energy requirements from renewable sources and plans to generate 15 Mega Watt peak of in-house solar power from rooftops of its stations and buildings, with 5.5 MW already operational. The track-based solar system represents a further step towards these ambitious targets.

This project also supports the objectives of the National Solar Mission and reinforces NCRTC's dedication to advancing clean energy and sustainable practices within the transport sector.

Beyond solar, NCRTC has integrated several environmentally friendly features into its network, including rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment plants, and regenerative braking systems on its Namo Bharat trains, which recover kinetic energy during deceleration.

Impact This innovation demonstrates a new approach to integrating renewable energy into critical transportation infrastructure. It sets a precedent for other transit networks in India and globally to explore similar sustainable solutions, potentially driving demand for solar technology, energy storage, and green building practices within the public transport sector. It reinforces India's push towards renewable energy and emission reduction targets, making the transit sector a key player in environmental sustainability. Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms * **Solar Panels**: Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. * **Watt Peak (Wp)**: A unit of power measurement for solar panels under standard test conditions. * **kWp (kilowatt peak)**: 1,000 Watt peak, used for larger solar installations. * **kWh (kilowatt-hour)**: A unit of energy, representing the consumption of 1,000 watts for one hour. * **Net-zero carbon emission**: A state where the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced is balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere. * **Mega Watt peak (MWp)**: 1,000 kWp, used for large-scale solar power plants. * **National Solar Mission**: A key initiative by the Indian government to promote solar energy, increase energy security, and reduce carbon emissions. * **Regenerative braking**: A system that captures energy normally lost as heat during braking and converts it back into electrical energy to recharge batteries or power the vehicle.