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Ski Lift Running on Solar Power

Ski Lift Running on Solar Power

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Started by Bandit in Switzerland - 93 Replies

J2Ski

Bandit posted May-2010

Tenna in Switzerland is installing a solar powered lift. All surplus energy will be sold to the grid.

http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/swiss-town-to-get-a-solar-powered-ski-lift/

Calvahead
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

Looks great, we are all Hydro Electric here but not as eco friendly.

Our lift at Les Masses is going to be replaced in the next year or so, would be nice to get a solar one :mrgreen:

Hot and Sunny in Valais today
www  Ski property 4 Vallées www.skiproperty4vallees.com

AllyG
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

There must be a tremendous number of solar panels involved to produce that much electricity (90,000 KWh). I was looking at installing some, but they are very expensive and they produce very low power levels, e.g. one about 2 foot by 4 foot only produces 80 W of electricity, enough to run one light bulb (and is also very heavy - 21 lbs), like the one below:

http://www.pvpower.com/sharp-80w-pv-module-NE-80EJEA-solar-panel.aspx

Ally

Edited 1 time. Last update at 21-May-2010

TheoBane
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

Great idea,will the cables be able to support all those panels and a very busy day in feb with the lift. Just thinking how much each of them weight then and combine all of them plus the chairs and then the people on them chairs

Pablo Escobar
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

TheoBane wrote:Great idea,will the cables be able to support all those panels and a very busy day in feb with the lift. Just thinking how much each of them weight then and combine all of them plus the chairs and then the people on them chairs


I'd imagine they have thought it through.

Brooksy
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010


I hope they have allowed for the weight of snow & ice that will lay on them. :shock:

Pablo Escobar
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

brooksy wrote:
I hope they have allowed for the weight of snow & ice that will lay on them. :shock:


From the article:

The panels are adjustable and can be removed to clear accumulated snow.



Ally, I wonder how much more energy the higher altitude panels get not to mention they may get more days of sunshine per year than rainy Wales.

Edited 2 times. Last update at 18-May-2010

Mekka
reply to 'Ski Lift Running on Solar Power'
posted May-2010

Isn't it a drag lift? I assume that will cut out a lot of the 'snow weight'. The panels will have to be kept clear to be able to collect the energy, let alone to counter the weight of the snow.

Topic last updated on 06-March-2012 at 08:39