The Romande Energie companyExternal link unveiled the first part of its floating solar project in Bourg-Saint-Pierre on Wednesday after six years of exploratory work.
The installation consists of 2,240 square metres of solar panels sitting on a 36-part aluminium and polyethylene frame anchored to the bed of the mountain lake. The frame can rise and fall according to the water level and can support up to 50cm of snow.
As the lake – an artificial dammed construction – sits at 1,810 metres above sea level, extreme weather conditions, including the freezing of the lake itself, are to be expected.
However, the stronger UV rays and reflections from the surrounding snow mean that the panels can produce up to 50% more energy than a similar installation on low-lying land.
In their current test phase the panels are expected to produce enough annual energy to power 220 average households. If the project is deemed to be feasible after a two-year trial period, the park will be enlarged to produce power for some 6,100 households.
The solar panels will produce energy for a two-year test phase.
Keystone / Valentin Flauraud
The project has been in the works since 2013, costing over CHF2 million.
Keystone / Valentin Flauraud
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