Coimbatore Junction, in a bid to reduce dependency on conventional source of energy, will install 100 KW solar panels to tap green energy. A New Delhi-based firm has begun installing around 400 solar panels on the shelters in all the six platforms in the first phase.
During the next phase, the authorities plan to install the panels on the station buildings as well. The next phase would take the total capacity of solar power generation to 150 KW.
At present, the Station for its lightings, fans and other miscellaneous requirements consumes about 2,100 units per day. The solar panels would generate about 450 units per day. The power generated by solar panels would be straight away used for power needs of the Coimbatore Junction during the day. The panels would generate about 70 units per hour. The firm has already finished the solar panel installation works at Chennai Egmore and Chennai Central and after finishing the works in Coimbatore in about a week’s time, it would commence the work at the Madurai Railway Junction in December, official sources said.
While the tapping of solar energy has just begun in first phase, on successful implementation of the same, authorities plan to extend the same to smaller stations depending on the load factor. The project is executed under the power purchase agreement with least of financial stress on the railways.
Published - November 29, 2018 08:31 am IST
