India’s Rail Infrastructure Enters a New Era with NCRTC’s ‘Solar-on-Track’ Innovation

In a first-of-its-kind move, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has transformed a section of its Namo Bharat depot in Duhai, Ghaziabad into a power-generating rail track, signaling a new chapter in India’s journey toward sustainable transportation.

This pioneering “solar-on-track” system is not just another renewable energy installation—it represents a strategic rethink of how urban transit infrastructure can double as clean energy assets. By installing 28 solar panels (550 Wp each) along a 70-metre stretch of the track, NCRTC has converted unused depot space into a micro solar power plant capable of producing 17,500 kWh of electricity annually and cutting 16 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

For a nation scaling up both solar capacity and green mobility, this experiment carries broader implications. It demonstrates how energy generation can coexist with transport operations, using minimal land and maximizing existing assets—a model that could inspire metro and rail corporations nationwide.

NCRTC’s leadership has emphasized that this initiative supports its goal of sourcing 70% of total energy needs from renewables, complementing the 5.5 MW of rooftop solar already installed across its network. The long-term plan includes expanding solar generation to 15 MW peak, reinforcing India’s larger ambition of integrating sustainability into every layer of infrastructure growth.

Beyond the solar project, NCRTC continues to embed circular and regenerative technologies into its system—such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and regenerative braking—to advance toward a net-zero operations model.

More than a pilot project, this “solar-on-track” innovation represents a vision shift—from merely building transportation systems to building self-sustaining ecosystems where mobility, infrastructure, and clean energy converge.

As India accelerates its renewable transition, NCRTC’s initiative may well set a template for the future of green transit infrastructure—where every kilometer of rail can also be a source of power.