India’s first solar smart bus stand
Surat on Wednesday launched India’s first solar-powered smart bus station. Developed by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the innovative electric bus depot at Althan has been built at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore and is being seen as a model of sustainable urban infrastructure for the rest of the country.
The high-tech facility is equipped with a 100 kW rooftop solar power plant and a 224 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Designed in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the station provides 24×7 green charging support through solar energy and repurposed second-life batteries.
Additionally, the station offers amenities such as free Wi-Fi, lighting for buses, and charging points, contributing to an improved commuter experience.
Prakash Pandya, Executive Engineer at the Light and Energy Efficiency Cell of SMC, said that the solar power plant captures energy during the day, which is then stored in second-life batteries and used to charge electric buses at night. This approach not only eases the pressure on the local electricity grid but also advances the use of renewable energy in public transport.
According to estimates, the solar bus depot is expected to generate about 1 lakh units of electricity annually, translating to energy cost savings of approximately Rs 6.65 lakh. More importantly, it serves as a crucial step towards achieving net-zero energy goals and fostering sustainable transport solutions in India.
Describing the project as a blend of advanced technology and environmental responsibility, Pandya said the initiative sets a benchmark in the reuse of batteries and clean energy deployment. “This is not just about infrastructure,” he noted. “It’s a long-term effort to make public transport green, efficient, and future-ready,” he added.
