+
First Solar-Powered Railway Coach Ready With Mobile Charging Facility
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

First Solar-Powered Railway Coach Ready With Mobile Charging Facility

North Central Railway has introduced its first solar-powered coach fitted with rooftop solar panels to power onboard systems and provide charging points for passengers. The development marks a step in Indian Railways' efforts to adopt cleaner and more sustainable technologies for day-to-day operations. The coach demonstrates a practical application of renewable energy within passenger rolling stock.

The panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity that is routed to lights, fans and other essential electrical equipment inside the coach. Generated power will also feed dedicated charging outlets that allow passengers to top up mobile phones and portable electronics during travel. The configuration reduces reliance on conventional supply while improving energy efficiency of onboard services. The arrangement is intended to complement existing power sources rather than replace them completely.

Passengers are expected to benefit from reliable charging without depending entirely on station facilities or backup power. The facility is targeted at enhancing convenience on long-distance routes where access to power can be intermittent. The move may also support evening and night services by ensuring essential lighting and ventilation remain functional through solar contribution. Crew and maintenance teams will monitor the systems to ensure consistent performance and safety standards.

The introduction follows other green initiatives such as hydrogen-powered traction recently trialled by the national network, and it forms part of a broader sustainability agenda. By offsetting some onboard electricity demand with renewable generation, the coach demonstrates how small-scale solar installations can be integrated into rail operations. Further evaluation of performance in service will determine scalability across more coaches and routes in future. Data gathered from in-service trials will inform decisions on wider adoption and integration with network operations.

North Central Railway has introduced its first solar-powered coach fitted with rooftop solar panels to power onboard systems and provide charging points for passengers. The development marks a step in Indian Railways' efforts to adopt cleaner and more sustainable technologies for day-to-day operations. The coach demonstrates a practical application of renewable energy within passenger rolling stock. The panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity that is routed to lights, fans and other essential electrical equipment inside the coach. Generated power will also feed dedicated charging outlets that allow passengers to top up mobile phones and portable electronics during travel. The configuration reduces reliance on conventional supply while improving energy efficiency of onboard services. The arrangement is intended to complement existing power sources rather than replace them completely. Passengers are expected to benefit from reliable charging without depending entirely on station facilities or backup power. The facility is targeted at enhancing convenience on long-distance routes where access to power can be intermittent. The move may also support evening and night services by ensuring essential lighting and ventilation remain functional through solar contribution. Crew and maintenance teams will monitor the systems to ensure consistent performance and safety standards. The introduction follows other green initiatives such as hydrogen-powered traction recently trialled by the national network, and it forms part of a broader sustainability agenda. By offsetting some onboard electricity demand with renewable generation, the coach demonstrates how small-scale solar installations can be integrated into rail operations. Further evaluation of performance in service will determine scalability across more coaches and routes in future. Data gathered from in-service trials will inform decisions on wider adoption and integration with network operations.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train’s Surat-Vapi Section Set for 2027

The first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor, linking Surat and Vapi, is targeted to begin services in 2027. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2026, while Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has indicated that an inauguration could take place around the middle of 2027. The National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL) said the train being manufactured in India is expected to reach the tracks around April or May 2027. The train will undergo extensive testing before the section is opened for passenger services. The project began construction in 2021 and includ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Approves Four Projects Worth Rs. 7.36 bn Across Four States

Indian Railways has approved four projects with a combined value of Rs. 7.36 bn across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme covers train protection, signalling, electric traction supply and a road overbridge, with each project assigned to a different railway zone. In Uttar Pradesh, Rs. 2.52 bn has been approved to extend the Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system across 607.7 km in the Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway. The system monitors train movements and can apply the brakes if a driver fails to observe a signal or exceeds a safe speed. The w..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Chandru Raheja Sells 1.49% Stake in Mindspace REIT for Rs. 5 bn

Billionaire Chandru Lachmandas Raheja has sold a 1.49 per cent holding in Mindspace Business Parks REIT for Rs. 5 bn through a bulk deal on the BSE. The transaction involved 9.9 mn units and was executed at an average price of Rs. 505 per unit, according to exchange data. Following the sale, units of Mindspace Business Parks REIT were trading 0.18 per cent lower at Rs. 504.05 on Tuesday. Exchange data did not identify the buyers involved in the transaction. Raheja is the chairman of real estate company K Raheja Corp. The sale involved 99,00,990 units, representing 1.49 per cent of the Mumbai-b..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code