WOW! INDIAN RAILWAYS USING EVERY NOOK AND CORNER FOR SOLAR PV

The Indian Railways is fourth largest in the world in terms of railway net work length and third in terms of traffic density; its network is more than 64,000 route- kilometers. Already, Indian railways are doing a commendable job, transporting passengers and goods throughout the country. Now, the Indian Railways have vision of 10% energy requirement to be fulfilled from renewable sources by 2020 and also want to achieve the target of 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar by 2018-19.

Presently, the Indian railways account to 22% electricity bill of total working expenses. The Indian railways want to use roof of railway buildings and vacant places for solar PV for electricity generation. The Indian railways have a plan to install rooftop solar PV at diesel locomotive sheds, railway workshops, railway stations, railway offices, level crossing gates and vacant land. Railway have great potential for rooftop solar PV, Indian railways have 50 diesel locomotive sheds, 40 railway workshops, 8000 railway stations and about 43000 hectares of vacant land. Railways is going to set an example by installation of rooftop solar PV at all the locations. 

Railway have started the process of tendering for installation of rooftop solar PV, within a year or two most of the diesel locomotive sheds, railway workshops, railway stations, railway offices, level crossing gates and vacant land would be ornamented with rooftop solar PV. In addition to it railway would have high contribution towards green energy, a step towards self reliant in the field of electricity and in future railways shall be protected from costly purchase of electricity discoms/ utilities.

Conclusion

Railway is going to set up an example in solar electricity generation, the other Central / State Governments; PSU’s, Municipalities should follow Indian railways and use roofs, and vacant spaces for generation of electricity from solar power. It would definitely develop the cultural for generation of electricity from solar PV in India along with creation of job opportunities.