India’s First Removable Solar Panel System Between Railway Tracks Commissioned at BLW, Varanasi
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Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi has pioneered a groundbreaking removable solar panel system fitted between active railway tracks—a first in India. Commissioned on Independence Day along Line No. 19 of the BLW workshop, the pilot spans 70 meters, featuring 28 indigenously designed bifacial monocrystalline solar panels with a combined capacity of 15 KWp.
This design ingeniously uses rubber mounting pads to absorb the vibrations of passing trains and epoxy adhesive to secure the panels onto concrete sleepers. Each panel measures 2278 × 1133 × 30 mm, weighs 31.83 kg, and boasts an efficiency of ~21.3% using 144 half-cut PERC bifacial cells. For maintenance, the panels can be quickly detached using just four SS Allen bolts—a testament to the design’s operational flexibility.
In terms of impact, the system delivers a power density of 220 KWp per km and an energy generation of 880 units per km per day, with yearly projections reaching about 3.21 lakh units per km. By converting unused track space into power generation zones, Indian Railways creatively sidesteps the land acquisition hurdle—especially crucial in space-constrained areas like yards and urban centers.
This pilot is part of Indian Railways’ broader commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Incorporated alongside existing rooftop solar infrastructure, this module adds fresh momentum to the Railways’ green transformation.
In essence, Varanasi’s solar innovation is not just a technological milestone—it’s a bold leap toward sustainable infrastructure, operational efficiency, and eco-conscious rail transport across the nation.
