Feasibility study of using solar

power on Metro Bus Project

By Team Aparecium
 Background

• Motivation by Quaid-e-Azam solar park inauguration

• Broadening network of rapid bus transit system in Pakistan
• Worldwide trend of using solar means to power transit systems
• Recovering of revenue spent on Metro Bus project in a short time span
 Problem at hand
• Foreseeing drastic increase in fuel prices in near future

• Increased emission of greenhouse gases due to:

• cutting down of trees on greenbelt for Metro bus construction

• installation of fuel generators on each station
• Extra burden on Pakistan’s already incapacitated system of electricity

• Government paying Rs.50 subsidy on each ticket till 2045

 Aims and objectives
• Checking feasibility for installation of solar panels on:
• Rooftops of metro bus stations
• Rooftops of buses
• Recovering of revenue spent on Metro Bus project in a short time span
• Using solar means to enlighten the future of transit system
Solar panels on rooftops
Solar panels on bus roofs
 Solar panels on rooftops
• Electrification of stations using solar power
• Consumption per station:
• 4 escalators => 3,001 kWh * 4=12004 kWh per year
• 2 lifts => 25,267 kWh per year * 2
• 10 computers => 120W on average*10 = 1200W
• 45 energy savers 22 watt each = 990 W

• 3 types of solar panels in consideration:

• Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Solar Cells
• Cadmium Telluride (Cd-Te) Solar Cells
• Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIS/CIGS) Solar Cells
 Solar panels on bus roofs

• To cater for the air-conditioning and lighting systems of the bus

• Air conditioning power rating (average) = 26kWh

• 5 sq. metre area available on a bus roof

• 5 solar modules needed to cover the area

• Cost= 5*8000=Rs.40,000

• Cost of battery needed= 4 Tesla Powerwall units * 650,000= Rs. 2,600,000

 Batteries

• Lithium Ion Batteries : 4,000 - 6,000 cycles at 80% discharge - so they

usually have a 13-18 years life-span. Example : 7kWh Tesla Powerwall

• Flow Batteries : can bear harsh weather conditions, up to 50 degrees Celsius

• Lead acid batteries : Low cycle life (1000-3000 cycles) is associated with
lead acid batteries. Life span of 2-8 years tops.
 Plan for redeeming the cost involved

• Average number of passengers per day = 100,558

• Price increase per ticket = Rs.5
• Excess amount per day = 5*100,558= Rs. 502,800
• Excess amount on average in 36 months= 36 months *30 days* Rs. 502,800=Rs.
543,024,000
Are you in favour of using solar power on Metro Bus Project?
Maybe
14%

No
12%
Yes
No
Maybe

Yes
74%
Would you be willing to pay an additional Rs.5 for 36 months on
each ticket to support using solar power on Metro Bus project?

No
14%

Yes

No

Yes
86%
Do you think it will be feasible to install the solar panels on the roof
of the stations?

Maybe
21%

Yes
No
No Maybe
14%
Yes
65%
 Recommendation for solar cell

• Type of solar cell : Cadmium Telluride (Cd-Te) solar cell

• The key factors which give this cell are:
• Low cost of production
• Comparatively high efficiency
 Recommendation for battery

• Type of battery : Lithium Ion Battery

• Lithium Ion batteries for their low maintenance cost and long lifetime
• Tesla Powerwall is optimal choice providing 7 KWh at Rs. 650,000
• The weight of a Tesla Powerwall is 120kg
 Calculations for expenditures
• For batteries :

• Total kWh demand per station = 32.8+59+2=93.9 kWh

• Therefore, 93.9/7=14 modules

• Price of 14 modules = 14*635,000 =Rs. 8,516,953

• 24 stations* 8,516,953=Rs. 204,406,873

• For solar panels :

• Expenditure per station=Rs.8000 per sq. metre*80 sq. metre= Rs. 640,000

• 24 stations= 24* 640,000= Rs. 15,360,000

 Conclusion
• Using lithium ion batteries
• Using Cd-Te solar cells
• Increase in price of ticket fulfills cost of both batteries and solar cells
• Solar cells on bus roofs isn’t as feasible as on stations
 Bibliography
• Thomas, I. (2007).The Pros and Cones of Solar Power.
• Chiras, D.D. (2013).Power from Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity.
• Morris, N. (2006).Solar Power.
• Hantula, R. (2010).Solar Power.
• Wesoff, E. (2013).First Solar Surprises with Big 2013 Guidance.
• NREL(n.d).Reterived 1977 from http://www.nrel.gov/pv/
• Bagher, M.A. (2015). American Journal of Optics and Photonics.
• Adiboina, G. (1980).Alternative Energy from Solar.
• Benato, R. (2015).Power Sources.
• Prasad. Snow, M. Designing with Solar Power: A Source Book for Building
Integrated.
Thank You!