In the remote of Grisons, Safiental this winter comes to a premiere. The
first solar ski lift takes the world on its operation. Its stands above the small Walser village Tenna which 450 meters long and equipped with 82 "Solar Wings". Each of 100 pound Solar Wings equipped with three panels to support cables mounted several meters above the ski lift. They provide about 90,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, which are required for operating the lift around 25,000 kilowatt hours per year.
The excess energy goes into the public grid. The solar modules achieve a high efficiency, because they automatically turn to the sun. And large snowfall is no problem. The modules can be placed almost vertically, so that the snow falls. Although the lift is only 450 meters long, it opens up 4.5 km of groomed slopes. The 1.35 million francs solar ski lift was financed by the solar lift from its own resources, from donations from churches, organizations and private donors. The solar-lift will be officially opened on December 17 with a celebration. To celebrate the day, the lift can be used free of charge. The ski village of 110 souls-Tenna is also followed by 25 francs for a day pass to the very favorable.
