Indian Railways' solar-powered trains could save INR 82 lakh per train
Indian Railways is creating the first ever train fitted with solar panels as the Indian government increasingly prioritises the utilisation of solar energy. While the train will maintain conventional diesel engines, the fans, lights and AC will be powered by solar electricity, leading to estimated savings of INR 82 lakhs per train per year; a total saving of INR 2,050 crore per year, once over 50,000 coaches are fitted with solar panels. Diesel consumption will be reduced by 90,000 litres a year, leading to a reduction of carbon emissions over 200 tonnes as a result of this new initiative.

With fuel consumption across the globe at an all time high and with fossil fuel under impending threat of depletion, Indian Railways is all set to implement a green solution. The India Government wishes to harness the maximum amount of solar power as possible and hence the plan to test first ever train fitted with solar panels.

This special trail will commence trial run later this month. While precise route has yet to be decided, the train will run as a passenger train in Jodhpur.

It will be pulled by conventional diesel engines, but the fans, AC and lights in passenger coaches will be powered by electricity generated from solar panels fitted on top of the coaches.

Gopal Sharma, PRO North Western Railways has confirmed trial run of India Solar-Paneled Train. Profits to the Indian Railways due to use of these solar panels atop the train are yet to be ascertained, which could only be determined once the trials are conducted.

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Indian Railways estimates approximate savings upto INR 82 lakhs per train per year through use of alternate sources of energy. With over 50,000 coaches in service, the savings in fuel bill could cross INR 2,050 crore per year.

The train using solar power can bring down diesel consumption by 90,000 liters per annum while reducing carbon emissions by over 200 tonnes. As on date, the India Railways use CNG on trains along the Rohtak Rewari section under Delhi Division which has also resulted in enormous monetary and fuel savings.