India’s First Solar-Powered Railway Tracks Unveiled in Varanasi, Marking Major Green Energy Milestone
New Delhi, Aug 27: In a significant leap towards greener infrastructure, Indian Railways has inaugurated India’s first solar-powered railway tracks at the Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi. The 70-meter stretch is equipped with 28 high-strength photovoltaic panels, capable of generating 15 KWp of electricity, all while utilizing the existing track space without requiring additional land.
The Ministry of Railways, sharing images of the installation on social media, described the move as a step towards “green and sustainable rail transport”.
Land-Neutral Solar Power: A Game-Changer
What sets this initiative apart is its land-neutral approach. Unlike conventional solar farms that require large land parcels, these panels have been installed directly on the railway tracks, sidestepping the challenges of land acquisition in both urban and rural areas. This model is particularly suited for a country like India, where land constraints are a pressing issue.
Smart Design and Seamless Maintenance
The design of the solar panels is tailored for practicality. The panels are positioned flush with the tracks, ensuring minimal obstruction to train operations. Additionally, the modular setup allows panels to be easily removed and reinstalled for routine checks or emergency maintenance, ensuring continuous functionality with little disruption.
These panels are engineered to withstand the vibrations from passing trains, as well as the dust, heat, and monsoon rains that often affect railway infrastructure. This makes the panels more durable than rooftop or open-field solar systems.
“This dual-use model offers tremendous potential for a country like India. It enables energy generation without expanding our land footprint,” said a senior railway official.
Potential for Large-Scale Adoption
Although the current solar output is relatively modest, the concept is highly scalable. Indian Railways covers over 1.2 lakh kilometers of tracks, and large sections of these could be adapted to produce hundreds of megawatts of solar power. This energy could power not only stations and depots but also auxiliary systems such as signalling, lighting, and electrification.
The initiative aligns with India’s national goals of reducing its carbon footprint. As one of the largest electricity consumers in the country—using nearly 20 billion units annually—Indian Railways has set a target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
By integrating solar power into its infrastructure, Indian Railways could reduce its reliance on conventional energy sources and potentially even supply surplus energy back to the national grid.
A Global Trend in Solar Rail Systems
India’s move comes on the heels of similar efforts globally. In Switzerland, the start-up Sun-Ways, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), is developing solar panels that unroll on tracks like a carpet. A trial project is set to begin in 2025 in Neuchâtel.
“There are over a million kilometers of railway lines worldwide. We believe 50% could be equipped with our system,” said Baptiste Danichert, co-founder of Sun-Ways, speaking to Sustainability Magazine.
Modest Beginnings, Big Potential
While the Varanasi project is still in its pilot phase, it marks the beginning of a revolutionary approach to clean energy in India. If scaled, Indian Railways could transition from being a major power consumer to a producer of green electricity, setting a global benchmark for sustainable transport systems.
With solar-powered railway tracks, the Indian Railways could not only reduce its carbon footprint but also contribute significantly to India’s renewable energy goals, offering a cleaner and more sustainable future for both the transport sector and the nation as a whole.
