Delhi Metro To Install Vertical Solar Panels Along Its Elevated Corridors

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which meets its power requirement through rooftop solar panels, is now going to install vertical solar panels along its elevated corridors.

As part of a pilot undertaking, 100 kilowatt peak (kWp) ‘bifacial vertical PV (photovoltaic) modules' will be installed between Jamia Millia Islamia and Okhla Vihar section of the Magenta Line, said Anuj Dayal, Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC. Bifacial modules produce solar energy from either side of the panel.

The plan to install vertical solar panels gained traction in 2020, when DMRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Germany to promote and demonstrate the potential of bifacial solar panels on viaducts of Delhi Metro.

According to DMRC, tenders have been floated for the installation of the modules. The project has been designed for an operational life of 25 years and is going to be based on Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, where no capital investment is required to be made by the corporation. The project will cost around Rs 86 lakhs.

“The main aim is to install vertical solar PV modules on either side of the viaducts to enhance use of renewable power to meet the power requirements of elevated metro corridor,” Dayal mentioned, adding that the panels will be retrofitted on the existing viaducts.

Challenges

The identified stretch from Jamia Millia Islamia to Okhla Vihar Section where vertical panels will be installed has a length of 1 km and has been identified for the pilot undertaking primarily based on preliminary study and analysis. The parameters included shadow casting obstruction, noise reduction evaluation, vibration and wind load, set up constraints, upkeep constraints, module cleaning constraints etc.

However, it is going to be a tough ordeal installing the modules on the elevated stretch considering the fact that the window available for installation is only three hours - during the non-revenue hours at night.

Extension Plans

According to the Metro, as soon as the pilot set up is accomplished, efficacies of the system and the module set up shall be tested for wind load as a result of natural wind flow, and vibrations generated because of operation of the metro trains. This will help in validating the design for the project.

Solar Energy in Delhi Metro

Delhi Metro is encouraging the use of solar energy in all its activities. The company generates 47 megawatt peak (MWp) solar energy via rooftop panels at Metro stations, depots, and residential complexes.

DMRC’s first rooftop solar power plant was put in 2014 at the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station and presently its rooftop capacity for solar power is spread over 14 metro train depots, more than 60 metro stations and three residential complexes. Some of its solar plants are installed at Anand Vihar, Pragati Maidan, Yamuna Bank, Yamuna Bank Depot, ITO, Ajronda Depot, Escorts Mujesar and Faridabad Metro stations.

Further, the Company procures another 99 MW of solar energy from Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Project at Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.