Economic and Feasibility Study of Solar Energy Utilization on Metro Rail Tracks via PVSyst

The increasing worldwide need for ecologically sustainable transportation options highlights the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions in public transportation systems. This study describes the design and analysis of a 3.086 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) power system for Metro Rail Transit Line-6 (MRT-6) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using the area between train tracks for solar panel installation. The system attempts to address the rising demand for renewable energy while minimizing dependency on fossil fuels. Simulations done using PVSyst indicate an annual energy output of 3.86 GWh, leading to the elimination of roughly 47,148 tons of CO<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> emissions throughout the project’s lifespan. The Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is computed at 6.61 BDT/kWh (0.0553 USD/kWh), confirming the economic viability of the project. The high elevation of MRT6 offers a good position for solar panel installation, avoiding the need for additional infrastructure and cutting expenses. The study provides a thorough environmental and economic analysis, indicating a Return On Investment (ROI) of 170.9% over a 25-year period. This revolutionary concept highlights the potential for large-scale renewable energy integration into urban infrastructure, offering a sustainable answer for Dhaka’s expanding energy demands.