New Delhi, Aug.18,2025: On August 15, 2025, BLW inaugurated a 70-metre pilot installation featuring 28 solar panels with a peak capacity of 15 kwp.
This project was formally announced by the Ministry of Railways via social media
Solar Panel On Rail Track
Solar Panel On Rail Track innovation marks a dazzling leap in sustainable transport. For the first time in India’s history, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi has installed removable solar panels right between railway tracks—without disrupting train operations.
What Was Installed at Varanasi’s BLW
On August 15, 2025, BLW inaugurated a 70-metre pilot installation featuring 28 solar panels with a peak capacity of 15 kwp.
This project was formally announced by the Ministry of Railways via social media.
Engineering the Removable Design
These innovative panels are mounted—with resilient engineering finesse—on concrete sleepers, using epoxy adhesive and rubber pads to absorb the vibrations of passing trains.
Their removable design ensures maintenance crews can easily remove and reinstall them as needed, preserving operational integrity.
Powerful Yet Practical: 15 kwp in Action
Though compact, this pilot generates 15 kwp, enough to run workshop loads, signal systems, or even feed into station utilities—reducing dependence on external electricity.
Tracking the Potential: 321,000 kWh/km/year
Experts estimate that if expanded, such systems could yield approximately 321,000 kwp per kilometre annually—a massive energy boost using underutilized space.
This sidesteps costly land acquisition, making it a cost- and space-efficient energy model.
Cost, Land Use, and Climate Gains
By generating electricity directly on tracks, Solar Panel On Rail Track systems help Indian Railways avoid daily power purchases and potentially sell surplus energy in the grid.
This dual benefit of cost savings and environmental protection elevates the initiative as a strong green milestone.
How It Fits India’s 2030 Net-Zero Vision
This pilot aligns with Indian Railways’ ambition to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, complementing rooftop solar, traction feeds, and station electrification across its network.
In-house engineering and local deployment signal strong institutional capacity for green infrastructure.
Scaling Up & Inspiration
If broader trials are successful, solar installations in rail yards and congested corridors could transform India’s railway energy matrix—without acquiring additional land. Inspired by global stories like Switzerland’s similar setup in Buttes, this initiative could set new standards.
India’s model may inspire transport sectors worldwide to rethink how infrastructure itself can become energy-generating space.
