TRA to open solar-powered railway station in Tainan

Nanke Station was first set up as a temporary station for visitors to the 2008 Taiwan Lantern Festival at the science park. Afterward, the county government negotiated with the TRA to build a permanent station — the first TRA station built by a local government, the administration said.

In an effort to promote the solar energy industry, Tainan County Magistrate Su Huan-chih requested that a solar power system be installed at the station. The county government has a community development project nearby called “Solar City” that plans to build housing units with solar power systems.

Architect Lu Li-chun, whose firm oversaw the design and building of the station, said solar panels are installed on the roof of the station and over the platform.

With five hours of sufficient sunlight a day, the solar power system can generate 2,688 kilowatt-hours a month, enough to supply the power for the station in the daytime, Lu said. The design of the station allows natural light, which also helps to save energy.

The station is equipped with a rain harvesting system that can store up to 210.96 cubic meters of rainwater, she added.

Su said the county government plans to create a better environment for cyclists, including bicycle rental shops. The science park will also introduce a new timetable for its free shuttle buses to and from the station. He said he hopes the area can be a model for conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Tickets for both the first northbound and southbound trains that stop at the station on Wednesday are free and will be available from 7:30 a.m. that day at TRA stations between Tainan Station and Xinying Station. A special edition of tickets and souvenirs will be on sale at Nanke Station.

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