Mumbai: Western Railway closes wind-solar pilot after low output

Western Railway has closed a ₹19.47-lakh wind-solar pilot installed on the Bandra–Khar and Naigaon–Vasai Road sections of Mumbai’s suburban network.

The two systems were commissioned on May 10, 2023. Each combined 2 kWp of solar capacity with 2 kWp of wind capacity, taking the pilot’s total installed capacity to 8 kWp.

Between May 10, 2023 and January 15, 2025, the systems generated 8,793 kWh, or 1,099 kWh per kWp. The assessment recorded average generation of 1.78 kWh per kWp per day and a capacity utilisation factor of 7.42%.

For comparison, the assessment used a conventional-solar benchmark of 3.6 kWh per kWp per day and a 15% capacity utilisation factor. It assessed the pilot’s output as 49.44% below that benchmark.

The hybrid system was estimated to cost about ₹2.43 lakh per kWp, compared with around ₹50,000 per kWp for conventional solar. It also used a 24V battery bank, inverter and AC charger; the assessment noted that the batteries needed monitoring and replacement over time.

Western Railway concluded that the pilot offered no viable advantage over conventional solar power and closed it.