A toll plaza in Karnataka has installed a wind-solar hybrid renewable energy system, demonstrating the potential of decentralized hybrid models for highway and transport infrastructure where uninterrupted power is critical for lighting, surveillance, and electronic toll operations.

The system was commissioned at the Hejamadi toll plaza on National Highway 66 in the Udupi district by Hyderabad-based Windstream Energy Technologies. Branded as SolarMill, the modular, scalable solution is designed for on-grid and off-grid deployments.

The installation comprises 60 kW of solar and 10 kW of wind capacity, delivering higher energy generation density than standalone solar systems. The wind component features three low-profile vertical-axis turbines mounted on a single base, an approach suited to low-speed, turbulent wind conditions often found at lower elevations. Multiple units can be linked to increase output.

The toll plaza consumes about 20,000 units of electricity per month across lighting, operational, office, and toll system loads. The hybrid system is expected to meet around 40% to 45% of this requirement, translating into an estimated annual savings of ₹1.8 million (about $19,652) in electricity costs.

According to Windstream Energy, the installation is lightweight and rooftop-friendly, with no heavy foundation required. The wind energy system has a low cut-in wind speed, negligible vibration and noise, making it ideal for rooftops and heritage structures.

The project has been implemented under the National Highways Authority of India’s green initiatives and aligns with the National Green Tribunal’s sustainability directions. NHAI’s 2023–24 sustainability report notes solar installations at two other toll plazas in Karnataka (50 kW each), but the Hejamadi toll plaza also includes a wind component.

“The dual-source solar and wind generation ensures continuous energy availability beyond daylight hours,” Venkat Kumar Tangirala, Managing Director at Windstream Energy Technologies, said. “As toll operators and infrastructure developers increasingly seek clean and resilient energy solutions, this system is a future-ready model for decentralized, hybrid power generation.”

Windstream claims that the SolarMill systems are deployed worldwide across sectors such as telecom, rooftops, agriculture, fisheries, street lighting, and remote defense installations, through standalone systems, mini-grids, and multi-system configurations.

Renewable energy use in transport infrastructure is gaining traction across India. Last November, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation implemented an innovative ‘Solar on Track’ project at the Namo Bharat Depot in Duhai, Ghaziabad, where solar panels have been installed on the tracks. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative in any regional rapid transit or metro system in India.