General Manager Shri Naresh Pal Singh formally inaugurated the solar panels installed on the railway track by cutting the ribbon.

Varanasi,
In line with the Indian Railways’ vision towards renewable energy and climate change mitigation, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), under the able leadership and guidance of General Manager Shri Naresh Pal Singh, has achieved yet another historic milestone by successfully installing the nation’s first removable solar panel system between active railway tracks.

General Manager Shri Naresh Pal Singh formally inaugurated the solar panels installed on the railway track by cutting the ribbon.
He appreciated and encouraged Chief Electrical Service Engineer Shri Bhardwaj Chaudhary and his entire team for successfully accomplishing this task.

First-of-its-kind Initiative in India

This pilot project, commissioned on Line No. 19 of the BLW workshop, uses an indigenously designed special installation procedure to mount solar panels between railway tracks without disrupting train traffic.
The system also allows for easy removal of panels whenever required for track maintenance.

Importantly, this innovation complements the existing rooftop solar power plants in the BLW premises, further boosting green energy generation.

Challenges Addressed Before Installation

1. Vibration Protection – Rubber mounting pads have been used to reduce vibrations caused by passing trains.
2. Strong Fixation – Panels are bonded to the concrete sleepers using epoxy adhesive, ensuring a robust metal-to-concrete bond.
3. Cleaning & Maintenance – Easy access for cleaning to keep panels free from dust and debris.
4. Quick Removal Facility – Panels can be removed quickly with 4 S.S. Allen bolts for regular track maintenance.

Key Technical Highlights

Project Details:

• Track Length: 70 metres
• Installed Capacity: 15 kWp
• Number of Panels: 28
• Power Density: 220 kWp/km
• Energy Density: 880 units/km/day

Solar Panel Specifications:

• Dimensions: 2278 × 1133 × 30 mm
• Weight: 31.83 kg
• Module Efficiency: 21.31%
• 144 Half-cut Monocrystalline PERC Bifacial Cells
• Junction Box IP: 68
• Maximum System Voltage: 1500 V

Vast Future Potential

With the Indian Railways’ network spanning 1.2 lakh kilometres, this technology can be widely deployed on yard lines.

No land acquisition required — utilizes the space between tracks.

Estimated capacity: 3.21 lakh units/year/km of energy generation.

BLW’s Commitment

This innovation marks a significant step towards Indian Railways’ goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

General Manager Shri Naresh Pal Singh stated:

“This project is not only a new dimension in solar energy utilisation but will also serve as a robust model for green energy generation in Indian Railways in the future.”

Source/RSB