In line with the National initiative on Solar Mission, North Central Railway (NCR) has attached top priority to solar energy generation. Due to excellent upkeep, very close monitoring of operations of solar power plants & numerous innovative steps taken under Solar Mission-2021-22, the productivity of solar plants in North Central Railway in the year 2021-22 had been the highest among all the Zonal Railways.
More details:
- In the last financial year, NCR generated 124 lacs units of electricity using solar power and a net revenue saving of Rs. 5.01 crores. Continuing the momentum this financial year too, 69.9 lacs units of electricity has been generated by NCR in the first half of the economy.
- Not only it’s a big leap towards a larger goal of environment protection as solar energy is a greener source of energy, it has led to substantial savings in revenue too. Net revenue saving of Rs 2.8 crore has thereby been recorded through the usage of solar power.
- NCR has a total installed capacity of 11.03 MWp. While 120 kWp has been installed by the Railway, remaining 10882.34 kWp capacities has been installed by two major Solar Power Developers (SPD) Azure and ReNew on a PPP mode.
- Among the major places where rooftop solar plants have been installed are station buildings, workshops, training schools, GM office and DRM office buildings.
- 5732 metric tons of reduction in carbon emissions has been achieved by NCR using solar power in these six months.
- Productivity of solar plants is measured in terms of Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF). NCR solar panels have recorded a CUF of 14.4 % during April-Sept 2022.
- In order to promote solar energy, utmost importance is being given to maintenance of solar plants. Some of the steps taken are:
- Monitoring of Solar Energy generation is being done for each plant, inverter wise.
- Daily monitoring, instead of monthly, of Energy & CUF% of plants is being done.
- Defective/Decommissioned plants due to roof repairs, inverters, cables, etc have been put right.
- Focused attention for quality cleaning of solar panels Tree trimming in shadow affected zones.
- 25 points Solar Mission ready reckoner in pictorial form issued for education & sensitization of maintenance staff.
- Technical & practical useful educational videos on 25 topics in HINDI have been issued to field supervisors for enhancing their knowledge.
- Solar Diary introduced to SSEs for systematic documentation & focussed monitoring of energy & other important data in a structured manner.
NCR’s GM, Shri Pramod Kumar has congratulated the team of officers and staff for sustaining the momentum in this field and has called for adopting a focussed approach for augmenting the share of solar energy in its total non-traction electrical energy consumption.
- 1.5 MWp of RoofTop Solar plants will be installed by NCR in the current financial year. Prayagraj Division will be installing 0.75 MWp of solar plants while Jhansi and Agra divisions will add 0.5 and 0.25 MWp to the existing capacity respectively.
- These rooftop solar plants are expected to be commissioned at various locations like railway stations, office/service buildings by December 2022.
Area wise performance of Railway solar plants between April-Sept. 2022:
Prayagraj area:
- Total Installed capacity- 1771 kWp
- Locations: Prayagraj station, Naini station, Prayagraj Chheoki station, Mela shed, GM office, DRM office and Central Hospital
- Solar energy generated: 1206432 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 42,17,998.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 1025 tonnes
Kanpur area:
- Total Installed capacity- 951 kWp
- Locations: Kanpur Central, Electric loco shed, Electric training centre, Running rooms, CETA school and hostel, new coaching complex and officers rest house
- Solar energy generated: 575200 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 15,38,179.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 489 tonnes
Aligarh area:
- Total Installed capacity- 182 kWp
- Locations: Aligarh junction
- Solar energy generated: 126377 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 3,91,769.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 107.4 tonnes
Tundla:
- Total Installed capacity- 350 kWp
- Location: Tundla Junction
- Solar energy generated: 212178 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 6,57,751.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 180 tonnes
Jhansi area:
- Total Installed capacity-331.1 kWpLocations: DRM office, Railway Hospital and Electric Loco shed
- Solar energy generated: 220484 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 7,27,597.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 187.4 tonnes
Agra area:
- Total Installed capacity- 1026.33 kWp
- Locations: Agra Cantt, Agra Fort station , Railway Hospital, running room, Idgah station, DRM office and sick line
- Solar energy generated: 651571 kWh
- Revenue saved: Rs 26,06,284.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 554 tonnes
Mathura area:
- Total Installed capacity- 383 kWp
- Locations: Mathura Jn and second entry gate
- Solar energy generated: 243231Kwh
- Revenue saved: Rs 9,72,924.00
- Reduction in carbon footprints: 207 tonnes
Gwalior area:
- Total installed capacity- 675.2 kwp
- Locations: Gwalior station (640 KWP) and Birlanagar station (35.2 kwp)
- Solar energy generated: 319655 kWp
- Revenue saved: Rs 9,27,000.00
- Reduction in carbon emissions: 272 tonnes
Source: North Central Railway- Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
