The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has implemented an innovative ‘Solar on Track’ project at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai, Ghaziabad, where solar panels have been installed on the tracks. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in any regional rapid transit or metro system in India.

The pilot installation has been executed on the pit wheel track at the Namo Bharat Depot. It features 28 solar panels of 550 W each, with a total plant capacity of 15.4 kW spread over 70 m of track length.

This initiative is expected to generate about 17,500 kWh of energy annually.

The Asian Development Bank, New Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are supporting the ‘Solar on Track’ project.

NCRTC aims to meet approximately 70% of its total energy needs from renewable sources. Under its solar policy, it aims to generate 15 MW of peak in-house solar power on the rooftops of stations, depots, and other buildings, with 5.5 MW already operational.

In its annual report for 2024-25, the NCRTC stated that 4.7 MW of rooftop solar capacity was commissioned across its stations and depots, delivering both cost savings and CO₂ reductions. “Our long-term plan to blend up to 60% of our corridor’s power needs through a 110 MW solar captive plant will further reinforce our low-carbon, sustainable growth path,” it said.

The rooftop solar capacity has yielded savings of ₹21 million (~$2,36,807), according to the report.

NCRTC also plans to install about 11 MW rooftop solar systems, which will generate around 12.5 million units of energy annually.

Several metro rail systems across India are adopting rooftop solar systems to reduce their reliance on conventional power sources.

In October, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation invited bids from developers to supply 170 MW of solar power from a captive power project, along with a co-located 680 MWh battery energy storage system.

In May, the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation floated a tender for the implementation of a 5 MW rooftop solar project for stations, depots, and other metro sites.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation also invited bids to install 2.8 MW of rooftop solar systems and associated support structure works on Aarey station and depot buildings of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 project.