Expert Explains | How solar-integrated rail and road infrastructure can power India’s clean energy transition

Published 17 June 2026

Key Messages

As India moves towards a greener future, the transport sector is doing its part by promoting electrification and sustainable mobility options. The Indian Railways and road transport systems are both playing a crucial role in this shift. With a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, the Indian Railways strives to add an estimated 30 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity. Further, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has partnered with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to explore solar deployment along national highways.

These developments clearly signal the next phase of India’s energy transition, wherein transport infrastructure is not just a consumer of energy but also a source of clean energy. With attention now turning to how India’s road and railway infrastructure could double as clean energy generators, the emerging concept of rail/road-integrated photovoltaics (RIPV) offers a promising answer.


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More about publication
Date 17 June 2026
Type Op-eds/Interviews/Press Releases
Contributor
Publisher The Indian Express
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