Even the ski lift converts to photovoltaic
by Andrea Ferretti

It's in Switzerland the first ski lift powered entirely by solar energy, an environmentally friendly ski lift hosted it is the Swiss ski resort that overlooks the town of Tenna Walser, the Safiental, in the Swiss canton of Grisons. The lift was put into operation on 17 December and has been amazed at the ability to combine technological solutions and high efficiency.
The realization of "Solarskilift" has cost 1.35 million Swiss francs (about one million euros) and two years of work at the ski lift Tenna, local cooperative that has in part benefited from donations from municipalities, and private organizations.
The plant grows to a length of 450 meters and obtains the necessary energy for its operation by 82 photovoltaic panels placed along the route were promptly dubbed "solar wings" because of their shape .
The panels are capable of automatic direction toward the sun for maximum energy efficiency and in case of heavy snow can be positioned vertically to avoid dangerous accumulations for the stability of the structure.
It has been estimated that & rsquo ; facility will provide a total of about 90 000 kWh of energy per year, of which 25 000 will be used to operate the lift, while the remaining will feed into the public network and will be sold as "clean energy". Even if several days of bad weather the operation of the plant will be guaranteed by the previously accumulated reserves.
This initiative is very interesting that will hopefully be a model and replicated in other ski areas.
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FOTO: Anche lo skilift si converte al fotovoltaico












