The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to complete the green transformation of the city's public transport system by powering electric buses with solar energy instead of grid electricity. In the initial phase, five EV charging stations for BRTS buses will be equipped with solar panels to create a charging infrastructure that runs on renewable energy. In all, 200 BRTS buses will be powered through these charging stations. Gradually, AMTS electric buses will also transition to solar-powered charging systems.

An AMC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the electric bus charging stations at AMTS and BRTS bus terminals will be connected to solar panel systems.

Initially, the solar panels will be installed at the Ranip BRTS charging station, which will function as a floating route charging station for electric buses running on the western route.

The solar panel installations will then be introduced at Naranpura and Vastral charging stations and later at AMTS charging stations in Jamalpur, Vadaj, Sarangpur and other locations.

The green bus project falls under AMC's Air Quality Management Cell, which is working on multiple projects to improve the city's air quality. These include new pavement roads, park and garden development, urban forests/oxygen parks, mechanical smart parking systems, CNG furnaces in crematoriums, automated traffic regulation systems and procurement of CNG buses. The cell is now working on powering electric buses with solar energy, with over 34 EV charging stations to be set up at different locations, all equipped with solar panels

The AMC also implemented several solar energy projects in the past. In Feb 2024, it installed solar systems at water treatment plants in Kotarpur, Rasala and Jaspur. These installations are expected to save 1.6 to 2 million units of electricity annually.

In Sep 2024, the standing committee approved a proposal to set up a 30 MW ground-mounted solar park on 120 acres in Sheradi village of Sabarkantha for Rs 154 crore. The corporation will acquire the land through a 27-year lease agreement, with the facility expected to generate 41.20 million units annually, save Rs 20.60 crore in electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions by 37,704 tonnes per year.

The AMC has also invested in wind energy projects across various talukas of Kutch, saving Rs 191.71 crore from 21 MW wind energy projects and Rs 8.75 crore from 7 MW solar plants.