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Three stations in Salem railway division go solar, shun thermal power during day


COIMBATORE: Electricity supply between 10am to 5.30pm to three major railway stations in the western region, Erode, Coimbatore and Salem, is provided by solar power, a renewable source of energy. These three stations do not use coal or thermal power during the day and depend on TANGEDCO only when darkness sets in. Even during this time, these stations bring down electricity consumption by at least 10% by using LED bulbs and brushless motor fans.

Setting an example for all other government departments, the Salem railway division, which needs electricity for many of its operations, has taken several steps to produce its own electricity for its usage. Over the past one and half years, the division has put up solar panels which generate 670kW of energy across its stations. While one and half years ago, Coimbatore and Salem stations were fitted with rooftop solar panels of 100kW each, a year ago, Erode station got solar panels of 100kW and its diesel loco shed and electric loco shed got solar panels of 150kW.

A senior engineer in charge of energy consumption said, “These panels generate around 350 to 400 units of electricity on an average for nine months of the year and even during winter these panels produce a minimum of 200 to 250 units and sometimes reaching up to 350 units. These supply for all the electricity needs during the day, including running lights, fans, airconditioners, computers, printers and even signal operations.”

Besides the three main stations, the division has installed solar panels of 220kW at the Mettupalayam station, at a cycle shed in the Salem station among others.

Divisional railway manager Subba Rao said, “We realized that we could use the lot of unused rooftop space to install solar panels. And we are satisfied with the results.”

Besides, to bring down electricity consumption, the Salem division has installed LED bulbs and brushless DC fans. “This reduces our consumption by at least 10% daily,” Rao said, adding, “Only in the railway colony, we have to replace around 60% of the fans.”

Officials said the division has brought down operating costs by reducing electricity bills by at least Rs 60 lakh.

Buoyed by the success, the division plans to fit solar panels in other stations like Tirupur, Karur and Rasipuram and aim to increase their solar power capacity to 1MW. “We have also conducted energy audits in all the stations in our division with the help of an independent consultant. We will try to implement their suggestions too,” Rao said.





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