Indian Railways has started such a unique experiment at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW). Electricity is now being generated from the solar panels installed between the tracks, which is a revolutionary step towards making the railways self-reliant. Know how this unique experiment works and what its benefits are.
Electricity from solar panels on railway tracks
Railways have created such a powerhouse in Banaras Locomotive Works, which could not even be imagined. Usually, there are only stones between the railway tracks, but now solar panels have been installed between these stones, which generate electricity every day. According to a senior Railway Board official, 28 special solar panels have been installed between the 70-meter-long railway track in BLW. These panels will generate 15 kilowatts of electricity every day, which will be used to run electric engines and for other activities.
No problem with maintenance
Railway officials say that these solar panels have been specially designed so that there is no hindrance to the maintenance of the track. These panels are removable and can be removed and reinstalled in a few hours if needed. At present, they have been fixed on the track with the help of rubber pads and epoxy adhesive. The weight of one panel is about 31.83 kg, with a size of 2278×1133×30 millimetres.
Profitable deal for Indian Railways
This new experiment of the railways can bring a huge change to the Indian Railways. At present, the railways have to buy electricity worth crores every day to run trains. When electricity generation starts on the railway track itself, this free electricity will not only be used to run trains, but it can also be used to illuminate the stations and run the signal system. In the future, when more electricity starts being generated, the railways will also be able to create a new source of income by selling it to the grid.
India and the world
This experiment of the Indian Railways is in line with the new experiments taking place globally. A similar experiment has also been started in a small village in Switzerland. There, electricity is being generated by installing 48 solar panels on a 100-meter track. Such initiatives show that railways can not only be a means of transportation but can also become a medium to bring about a big change in the field of solar energy.