Switzerland’s First Solar Powered Ski Lift

Tenna is a small, quiet village in Switzerland with 109 inhabitants; but has become big news after announcing a rather unique project - a ski-lift powered by solar energy; the second in the world.

Tenna is a small, quiet village in Switzerland with 109 inhabitants; but has become big news after announcing a rather unique project – a ski-lift powered by solar energy; the second in the world.

The solar panels for the Tenna project will be placed on top of the drag lift itself and will be adjustable in order to protect them from buildup of snow and to better track the sun, providing increased electricity production.

The solar farm will generate approximately 90,000 kWh per year, but only 22,000 kWh will be needed for the operation of the lift, with the surplus electricity to be sold and exported to the mains grid.

The estimated cost of AUD$1.27 million for construction of the lift will be funded by the local co-operative, donations from the community and sponsors.

The opening of the first solar powered ski lift in Switzerland is planned for December 2010.

The only other solar powered lift in the world is the “Sonnelift” in Westendorf, Austria; which is 100% operated by the power of the sun. Even in the case of bad weather over several days, the facility stores enough energy in its deep cycle battery systems to be operated exclusively by solar power.

While cold climates aren’t usually associated with the production of solar electricity, cooler temperatures actually allow for better levels of power production through improved solar panel conversion efficiencies.

Perhaps we’ll see a similar solar powered ski-lift on the snowfields of Australia soon.

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