DMRC Installs India’s First Vertical Bi-Facial Solar Plant

Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated India’s first vertical bi-facial solar plant at Okhla Vihar station. He also inaugurated a 1 MW rooftop solar plant at the Khyber Pass depot of Delhi Metro.

The 50kW vertical solar plant at Okhla Vihar Metro Station features bi-facial panels that 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,” a spokesperson for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.

Calling this an innovative step in making metro rail operations more sustainable and contributing to renewable energy goals, the minister highlighted that the plant leverages the metro’s elevated structure for solar generation without requiring additional land.

“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 added.

DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar highlighted that the metro has surpassed 50 MW in solar power capacity and now aims to reach 60 MW by the completion of its Phase-4 project.

With the inauguration of the rooftop solar plant at Khyber Pass metro depot in Timarpur, DMRC’s total onsite rooftop solar capacity now stands at 51 MW. These solar plants are present in 93 Stations and 15 depots of the Delhi Metro System.

“Urbanisation and industrialization 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,” the minister said.

“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,” Kumar added.

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Resource: Business Standard

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