18-09-2017, 02:35 PM
Indian Railways today launched the first DEMU (Diesel Electric Power Unit) train at Safdarjung Station in Delhi. The train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. A total of 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp, are mounted on six cars. The cost of these solar panels, made under the 'Make in India' initiative, is Rs 54 lakh. This is the first time in the world that solar panels are used as a grid in railways.
A solar vehicle is an electric vehicle fully or significantly powered by direct solar energy. Generally, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the energy of the sun directly into electrical energy. The term "solar vehicle" usually means that solar energy is used to drive all or part of a vehicle's propulsion. Solar power can also be used to provide power for communications or controls or other auxiliary functions.
Solar vehicles are not currently sold as practical day-to-day transport devices, but are mainly demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises, often sponsored by government agencies. However, indirectly charged solar vehicles are very widespread and solar boats are commercially available.