- India Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated India’s first-ever vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar metro station in Delhi.
- DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar highlighted the organisation’s growing commitment to solar energy, announcing that the metro network had surpassed 50 MW in solar power capacity.
India Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated India’s first-ever vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar metro station in Delhi, alongside a 1 MW rooftop solar installation at the Khyber Pass metro depot on February 18.
The vertical solar plant, with a capacity of 50 KW, is equipped with bi-facial panels designed to capture sunlight from both sides, enhancing energy generation efficiency.
“This is a pilot project, and more such plants will be installed based on its performance,” stated a spokesperson for the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The initiative aims to leverage the metro’s elevated structures to generate solar power without requiring additional land. Calling the development a significant step towards sustainability in metro operations, Khattar emphasised the need to shift completely to renewable energy sources.
“The power requirement for our metros should come from renewable energy. We do not have to take any fossil power, and if we do this, then we will make a huge contribution to our society,” he said.
DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar highlighted the organisation’s growing commitment to solar energy, announcing that the metro network had surpassed 50 MW in solar power capacity and aims to achieve 60 MW by the completion of Delhi Metro’s Phase-4 project.
With the new installation at Khyber Pass depot, the total on-site rooftop solar capacity of Delhi Metro now stands at 51 MW, spread across 93 stations and 15 metro depots.
“More plants will be added in the Phase-4 stations to meet the new target,” the DMRC spokesperson confirmed.
Kumar further stated that DMRC remains dedicated to expanding its solar footprint and integrating smart mobility solutions, including energy-efficient operations, electric feeder services, and energy storage systems.
Khattar emphasised the urgency of embracing clean energy, asserting that the shift from thermal to renewable power, along with solar rooftops and regenerative braking in metro trains, represents a major step towards environmental responsibility.
“Urbanisation and industrialisation have increased pollution, but initiatives such as the Delhi Metro have significantly reduced environmental impact, demonstrating that thoughtful infrastructure can drive progress while protecting nature,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Kumar expressed optimism about the future of metro systems in India, stating, “By 2030, we envisage that metro systems in India will be powered predominantly by renewable energy. Leveraging innovations in energy storage, smart grid integration and sustainable construction practices will help in this regard.”