Railway transportation is getting greener. Taiwans first solar-powered train station just opened in Tainan this week. During the summer, its solar energy system can generate up to 80 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, which can save the station more than 5,000 NT dollars in monthly electricity bills.

Taiwan Railway's Southern Taiwan Science Park Station officially began operating on Wednesday.

The station, which is located to the south of Shanhua Station and to the north of Xinshi Station, is the first Taiwan Railway Station with a solar power and opto-electronics system.

The solar panels on its roof can generate up to 80 kilowatt-hours per day during the summer, and will also help promote the park's solar power and opto-electronics industry.

The station will provide the park's 50,000 workers with a more convenient way of getting to work, and park officials hope that the added measure of convenience will help attract more vendors.

According to the Taiwan Railway Administration, the Shalun line will reduce the travel time between the high speed rail's Tainan Station and the TRA's Southern Taiwan Science Park Station to just 40 minutes.

The Shalun line is expected to begin operating next January.