India's solar powered trains

Fancy a hop on a solar train? Now you can. Picture: The Economic Times

Fancy a hop on a solar train? Now you can. Picture: The Economic Times

Published Jul 25, 2017

Share

Fancy a hop on a solar train? In India, that could be possible. Indian Railways rolled out its first train with rooftop solar panels that power the lights, fans, and information display systems inside passenger coaches. While the train will still be pulled by a diesel-powered locomotive, a set of 16 solar panels atop each coach will replace the diesel generators that typically power these appliances.

This initiative could save thousands of litres of diesel. According to the World Economic Forum, the railways estimate that a train with six solar-powered coaches could save around 21,000 litres of diesel every year, worth around Rs12 lakh.

The trains will start operating from New Delhi. Two more dozen are expected to be fitted with a similar design consisting of similar rooftop solar systems.

The rooftop solar system was developed by Noida-based Jakson Engineers, under the direction of the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuels (IROAF).

Source: World Economic Forum.

Related Topics: