RailEnquiry

Indian Railways are considering alternative sources of power generation and plan to install a 1MW capacity solar rooftop installation at the New Delhi station.

The panels will be installed under a a pilot project in private public partnership on a non-utilized area of the station, primarily to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.

Authorities have also drawn up plans to conserve greater energy and reduce the station's power bill, reported The Indian Express.

Divisional Rail Manager AK Sachan revealed that higher capacity solar panels will be installed in a phased manner.

Sachan further told the news paper that a private company will install and maintain the solar panels.

The railways would purchase the power under a 5- 10 years power agreement with a fixed power tariff.

Cost of the pilot project is estimated to cost INR15m ($273,000) and installation of the panels would begin in 2013.