Indian Railways experiments Solar Powered Train - but is it green enough?

Indian Railways is the single biggest consumer of diesel fuel in the country. In order to save of heavy oil imports, the railways have recently affixed a few solar panels on a non-ac coach of the Rewari-Sitapur passenger train. This ‘solar powered’ coach produces 17 units of electricity in a day. Though it is very less compared to the total energy requirement of a train, the Indian Railways claim that such a train is going to save them up to 90000 litres of diesel and 200 tonnes of CO2 every year. This is impressive. It is very important to note that powering an entire train with solar panels on top is currently not possible.

(stat courtesy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome...pollution.html)

The electrical power (17 kWh) produced by these solar panels can only be used for lighting and may be mobile charging points in the coaches. A ‘Solar Powered’ Train is still a distant dream. It is important to note here that 17 units of electricity are minuscule considering a 3000 HP train. We are assuming that such train would be consuming 20 kWh per km, which is 20000 kWh for a 24 hour trip. Even if all the coaches are fitted with solar panels, it would still be a mere 1-2 % of the total energy needs for the train. The entire surface area (40 m2) of the roof is not covered yet. If covered, an extra few panels can be accommodated. The Railways say that in a 40 hours trip, 15 hours will be exposed to the Sun as the train keeps moving. This is inefficient compared to stationary installations. Further there are shades from trees, tunnels, platforms and more importantly angle of inclination which will reduce the power generated. In comparison, the Indian Railways could install massive solar panels on top of stations and feed it into the grid. This would offset the carbon produced. But the Indian Railways’ biggest problem is that only around 34% of the routes are electrified. There are practical problems like theft of copper, lack of adequate power supply, security, etc. Hence putting up solar panels on top of the trains is a safer choice and this will help in direct reduction of expensive diesel fuel imports. It costs the Railways Rs.20 per unit for power generated from diesel. Plus PR wise, a train with solar panels on top makes more impact than others.

Even if all the coaches are fitted with solar panels, it would still be a mere 1-2 % of the total energy needs for the train...It is very important to note that powering an entire train with solar panels on top is currently not possible.

It will cost Rs.3.96 lakhs per coach and the payback period is 3-4 years. Maintenance wise, though this will be exposed to harsher climatic conditions compared to stand alone units - they will undergo a wash at the sheds which is debatable for stations or other rooftops. The Indian Railways going green is a welcome move considering the resources they have and need. On the environment day, the East Coast Railways has installed a 50 kW solar power plant on one of their buildings in Bhubaneswar. There is news that the Indian Railways is chalking out a 1000 MW solar power plan for their network. We hope they becomes greener by installing LED lights, harvesting rain water from stations, utilize toilet waste, making bio diesel by planting near tracks, and other ways.