The West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) is reportedly gearing up to install solar panel on depot roofs to generate power and recharge its e-buses.
According to ET The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) has led a study and found that with the installation of solar panels at the WBTC Kasba depot would save in annual electricity bills.
TERI found highly feasible strategies for electrification of public transport in Kolkata by powering the charging stations at major WBTC depots through solar energy, notes the publication.
Actual site survey and measurements of power consumption patterns were performed as part of the study.
Transport secretary N S Nigam at a discussion on electric mobility, organised by the British Deputy High Commission and Bengal Chamber of Commerce hinted at significant increase of its electric bus fleet with its policy shift from Capex to Opex.
Shashank Vyas, associate fellow (electricity and fuel), TERI speaking to the publication said “GIS-based estimation of the plant capacity on the available rooftop area has been found to be enough to power the buses plying during the day.” TERI has proposed that the roof on the depot sheds be used to install solar-power panels.