The Indian Railways Organization for Alternate Fuels (IROAF) has issued a tender for 2 MW of rooftop solar systems which will be installed on the roof of each trailer coach of diesel-electric multiple units (DEMU). The tender has been floated for 450 solar systems with a capacity of 4.5 kW each.

The scope of work covers the design, supply, modification, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar power generating systems. The systems are expected to have flexible solar panels including a rechargeable 110V/120 Ah lithium-ion (lithium iron phosphate) battery bank with a battery management system and other accessories.

The estimated cost of the project is around ₹527 million ($8 million). The IROAF has allowed 30 months to complete the project.

The IROAF is a single-window entity of the Indian Railways for dealing with works related to the use of alternative fuels. The IROAF aims to introduce sources of energy such as biofuels, compressed natural gas, and solar for the Indian Railways’ power needs.

The tender will close on October 31, 2019.

Recently, Mercom reported that in its bid to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030, the Indian Railways is slowly expanding its usage of renewable energy in its operations.

The Minister of Railways and Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal informed the Lok Sabha recently that the Indian Railways plans to harness 500 MW of land-based solar power for traction.

In January 2019, the Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL), invited bids for setting up of 2 MW of solar projects along the Delhi-Ambala railway track. The projects, which will be located near Diwana station, will follow tariff-based competitive bidding.

Previously, REMCL had invited bids to set up 140 MW of wind-solar hybrid projects. The wind-solar hybrid projects will be set up under the nodal zonal railways of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

Image credit: Jakson Solar