Indian Railways Solar powered train

[AngusH]

Indian Railways today launched first solar-powered DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) train from the Safdarjung railway station in Delhi. The train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. A total of 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp, are fitted in six coaches.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Indian Railways have apparently developed a train that is diesel electric with solar panels on the roof.

It's not entirely clear from the article if this is for traction or just for hotel power.


I've never heard of solar panels being attached to a train before? Is this the first example of its kind?

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Indian Railways could not organise a **** up in a brewery.

They make announcements like this on a regular basis. Political points are won by announcing rather than delivering.

 

[MarkyT]

Its a good idea, especially in such a hot country. The article claims diesel savings will be made and that there is onboard battery storage. Even if only powering lights, ventilation and information systems that will save power from the traction system and perhaps allow it to be downsized a little or run less intensively. Maybe Vivarail should also look at roof PV panels for the D-Train, especially the version with battery storage.

 

[MotCO]

But won't all the passengers travelling on the roofs block out the sunlight trying to get to the solar panels?

 

[vrbarreto]

Here's a video of the train being built

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA8egBLz3sE

and here's it running

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oovHkcKHoiQ

Don't see why this wouldn't work as Solar power is a big thing in India.. In fact the largest solar power plant in the world is in India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=125ZrC3uvQ4

India is a net importer of fuel and solar energy is a relatively cheap and readily available source of energy

 

[broadgage]

I am very doubtful as to the merits of this.
The energy produced is relatively small, remembering that the PV modules will spend much of the time not facing the sun.

The PV modules and batteries add extra weight and wind resistance and will therefore increase fuel used.

And yes the modules will be broken or perhaps stolen by persons riding on the roof.

It would make more sense to install the PV modules on stations or other railway property, correctly aligned to achieve maximum output. That would reduce the electricity used from the grid and therefore the amount spent.

I have previously suggested fitting PV modules to heritage LHCS in the UK, but that is a special case. Not economic on fuel saving grounds, but would keep the batteries in good condition and postpone the need for costly replacements.
The extra coal or diesel fuel used for haulage would be trivial due to the low speed and very limited annual mileage covered by heritage stock, very different to main line stock in intensive use.

 

[thaitransit]

There is a 100% solar powered train operating in Byron Bay NSW Australia that operates an hourly service. It is created by converting a 1940s DMU. It is dead silent in operation quieter than a normal EMU.

Its been in service since December 2017

 

[Brown]

But won't all the passengers travelling on the roofs block out the sunlight trying to get to the solar panels?

Well they were... but not these days anymore. Govt took things very seriously and loads of investments on railway. If such a big rail network is managed by the govt, I wonder why can’t we do it. We are merely 1/10 of their network. Isn’t it? Now you must be laughing.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Well they were... but not these days anymore. Govt took things very seriously and loads of investments on railway. If such a big rail network is managed by the govt, I wonder why can’t we do it. We are merely 1/10 of their network. Isn’t it? Now you must be laughing.

I suggest you make a comparison between the respective levels of car ownership before making such statements.

 

[HSTEd]

There is a 100% solar powered train operating in Byron Bay NSW Australia that operates an hourly service. It is created by converting a 1940s DMU. It is dead silent in operation quieter than a normal EMU.

Its been in service since December 2017

Most of the power for the train is produced by solar panels on the station/storage shed roof though.
And with power moved too and from the grid to balance the generation with the charging demand.