Metro stations in Aqua Line get solar power boost

Noida: In a bid to promote the use of natural resources for energy generation, officials of Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) on Monday said they will use solar power to light up all 21 Metro stations and the depot at the upcoming Metro corridor between Noida and Greater Noida.

According to the officials, solar panels will be mounted on the rooftop of all the Metro stations of Aqua line.

These panels will facilitate generation of around 10 MW of energy, which will feed lights, lifts, escalators, air conditioners at all the 21 Metro stations, parking and the depot.

PD Upadhyay, Executive Director (Finance), NMRC, said, "The NMRC board signed an agreement with a private firm to install the grid-connected solar panels project under the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model. The Installation work of solar panels would start within one month and it will take at least five months to complete the project.

"Once completed the board will purchase electricity generated through the system at a much cheaper rate of Rs 3.25 per unit that would be used feed the metro stations, parking and depots," he added.

According to the RESCO model, which is considered to be less 'capital intensive', the entire system is owned by the developer. The rooftop owners consume the electricity generated, for which they pay a pre-decided tariff monthly.

Thus, for consumers, it is a low-cost intensive option as compared to other models where the entire system is owned by the rooftop owners.

The executive director also informed that full-fledged trial run at the stretch is underway and it is expected that the Metro line will start by end of this year.

"All major civil works have been completed. The Metro trial is also at its final stage. Once the inspection and other last stage works are completed, the track will be thrown open to the commuters" he added.