What is a Solar Train How does Solar Train Work
Today, in India, more than 80% of the people are using solar panels. The Prime Minister of the country, Shri Narendra Modi, is also promoting this work and working on various initiatives related to green energy. In this context, it is now being heard that very soon there will be trains running on solar systems in India.
Around the world, approximately 25% of trains still use fossil fuels, while 75% have been electrified. Some believe that electric trains also partially contribute to pollution due to the mix of sources used for electricity. So, in such a scenario, solar trains could be the right answer to achieving a green and healthy environment.
What is a Solar Train?
When it comes to using electricity for cars and homes, solar panels are a good example because they have spread all over the world. Solar panels are most effective in providing electricity for cars, making it a better fuel option. Now the question arises: if cars can be powered by solar panels, why not trains?
On one hand, there is enough space for solar panels in trains, and these trains run in places where they can receive ample sunlight. Solar panels for the train’s electricity are usually installed on the roof of the train, or in some cases, a separate line with a large solar system is set up near the railway line to provide power.
When will solar trains come to India?
India joined the solar train bandwagon on July 14, 2017. India’s first solar-powered DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) operates from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. The train has a total of 16 coaches, each equipped with approximately 300 Wp of solar panels.
In 2020, a solar-powered mini-train was inaugurated in Welley, Kerala. It features all the amenities of a regular diesel train, including a Ticket Window, Tunnel, and Station. Each coach can accommodate about 45 passengers, and there are three coaches in the train.
Despite several challenges, Indian Railways plans to install more solar-powered coaches in the coming days, especially in urban areas. Speaking about the future of solar trains in India, Indian Railways is working on several initiatives to strengthen its position as the largest clean power producer in the country.
These actions are part of Indian Railways’ efforts to lead the way in clean energy. According to research in 2017, Indian Railways can install 5 gigawatts of solar power plants, which will be sufficient to meet the country’s entire electricity needs in the coming years.
How many solar trains are running till now
While solar panels can find their place in underground networks worldwide, it may take a few years to implement them on a large scale for railways. However, we cannot say that governments have not made efforts for trains powered by solar power worldwide. When do the trains operate?
Regarding this, we cannot say anything because the sun is only available during the day. Therefore, power can only be generated during the daytime, and at night, the electricity generated through solar panels is stored in batteries for use. Below is a roundup of solar trains in operation:
The First Solar Train
The first fully solar-powered train was started in New South Wales, Australia, nearly 70 years ago. In 2017, North Byron Resort upgraded this train with solar panels on its roof, providing the train with 6.6 kW of power supply. The train runs at a speed of 18 km/h.
Solar Trains in the United Kingdom
In 2019, the United Kingdom inaugurated the world’s first railway line operated by solar power, with a 30 kW solar system. It was built close to the station for direct access to the trains.
Since it has sufficient capacity, there are no issues with electricity, signaling, and lighting systems. However, considering that trains in the United Kingdom consume 4,050 million kWh of electricity annually, solar power is essential to run the entire system in the future.
Solar Trains in India
In India, solar panels are mounted on the roofs of solar trains to provide them with power. India’s first 100% solar-powered station was installed in Guwahati in 2017. India is planning to reduce pollution.
While a train cannot entirely replace the rails, it is a massive structure! What this means is that it requires a lot of power to operate.
Although the power needed to keep it running is minimal, a high-speed passenger train can use approximately 0.03 kWh per passenger per kilometer, which is equivalent to 18 kWh/km for a 600-person train.
At a speed of 250 km/h, it covers one kilometer in about 14.4 seconds, consuming approximately 3.6 megawatts.
To supply enough power for the train, 18,000 megawatts from two solar plants adjacent to the railway line with a density of 200 watts per square meter will be required.
From a technical perspective, this is a real challenge. However, the deployment of this fundamental infrastructure and the utilization of its circuits for multiple trains currently only make solar trains a concept.
Because nations, companies, and even individuals worldwide are striving to reduce their pollution, solar power is the next big thing.
Special Features of the Solar Train
- This solar train uses comfortable seats, and each carriage is equipped with a display board. Racks are also provided for passengers to store their belongings.
- This train is India’s first Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train powered by solar energy. It has solar panels on its roof, which power the lights and fans inside the carriages. Each carriage of this train is equipped with 16 solar panels, with a total power capacity of 4.5 kilowatts. Additionally, each carriage has a battery with a capacity of 120 mAh.
- The train was manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, India. The solar panels on the six-carriage rack were installed at the Shakur Basti Workshop in Delhi. It is planned to prepare 24 more such carriages in the Shakur Basti Workshop in the next six months.
- Speaking of the expenses incurred for this solar train, it cost approximately 13.54 crore rupees. The cost to manufacture each passenger carriage is around 1 crore rupees, while the motor car, which is the main carriage, cost about 2.5 crore rupees. In addition, there was an expense of 9 lakh rupees for the solar panels.
- With this solar train, there will be an annual savings of nearly two lakh rupees on diesel from each carriage. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 9 tons of carbon dioxide will be reduced each year. The total annual savings from this solar train will be around 672 crore rupees. Over the next 25 years, due to the railway solar panels, each train can save 5.25 lakh liters of diesel.
- It’s worth mentioning that for the first time in the world, the railway has used a solar system as a source of electricity. On the Shimla-Kalka toy train’s small line, a solar energy train was already running, and some of the larger lines also have trains with solar panels. It’s estimated that the railway will save around 700 crore rupees annually through this solar train project.
