The Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi has set a historic milestone by installing India’s first removable solar panel system between railway tracks. On Independence Day, General Manager Naresh Pal Singh formally inaugurated the project, which was commissioned on Line 19 of the BLW Workshop.

The pilot installation covers 70 metres of track and has a total capacity of 15 kWp, powered by 28 solar panels. Each panel, weighing approximately 32 kilogrammes, is intended for maximum efficiency and includes bifacial cells to enhance energy output. Officials stated that the system has a power density of 220 kWp per km and can generate approximately 880 units of energy per kilometre per day.

The initiative’s detachable design is one of its key features. Panels may be easily detached with four bolts, allowing for uninterrupted track maintenance. Engineers also used rubber cushions to prevent vibrations from passing trains and secured the panels with epoxy adhesive for durability.

According to BLW, the innovation allows for large-scale deployment across the 1.2 lakh-kilometre railway network, particularly in yard lines where no additional land is required. The project is a key step towards Indian Railways’ goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions.