NCRTC launches India’s first ‘solar on track’ system at Namo Bharat depot | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has implemented a pioneering ‘Solar on Track’ system at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai, Ghaziabad, marking the first such initiative in any RRTS or Metro network in India.As part of this pilot project, solar panels have been installed on a 70 metre stretch of the Pit Wheel Track. The installation includes 28 solar panels, each with a capacity of 550 Wp, resulting in a total plant capacity of 15.4 kWp. The system is expected to generate approximately 17,500 kWh of electricity annually, which will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 16 tonnes per year. A spokesperson from NCRTC stated that the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and efficient energy use. “By harnessing solar energy directly from the tracks, NCRTC is not only maximizing space utilization but also reinforcing its mission to achieve net-zero energy consumption across its facilities,” the spokesperson said. The ‘Solar on Track’ project is part of NCRTC’s broader solar policy, which aims to meet 70% of its energy requirements through renewable sources. Currently, 5.5 MW of rooftop solar capacity is operational across various stations, depots, and buildings, with a target of 15 MW peak in-house generation. NCRTC is also working to integrate renewable energy into traction systems. In addition to solar energy initiatives, NCRTC’s sustainability efforts include rainwater harvesting systems, sewage treatment plants, and regenerative braking technology in Namo Bharat trains, which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during braking.
