CKW Group, which collaborated with Leuk Teleport and Data Center on this venture, highlighted the suitability of former satellite antennas for solar energy systems.
Two Swiss businesses are utilizing the challenging terrain of Switzerland to create massive solar panels out of retired satellite antennas in an innovative project set against the picturesque backdrop of the Alps. This is a vital source of green energy production. This innovative installation marks the second of its kind in Leuk, situated in the Valais canton, where outdated antennas are being repurposed into formidable sources of energy.
The strategic mountainous location of these solar panels promises enhanced exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during the winter months, a distinct advantage over installations in urban areas prone to mistier conditions.
CKW Group, an energy services provider, which collaborated with Leuk Teleport and Data Center on this venture, highlighted the suitability of former satellite antennas for solar energy systems. “They can be flexibly aligned with the sun and thus generate more electricity than conventional solar panels,” stated CKW Group.
Remarkably, a single antenna of this kind has the capacity to meet the energy requirements of 25 households, as per CKW Group estimates. These saucer-like antennas, cloaked in solar panels, boast a diameter of 32 meters (105 ft) and are perched approximately 1,000 meters above sea level, ensuring an optimum level of sunlight exposure, even during the winter season.
In August of the preceding year, the Swiss government initiated a voluntary campaign urging both consumers and businesses to conserve energy, a measure aimed at averting potential gas and power shortages. Solar energy has emerged as a potential component of this energy-saving strategy.
Axpo Group, Switzerland’s largest producer of renewable energy, and owner of CKW Group, emphasized the significance of solar energy in addressing the nation’s evolving energy landscape. “Switzerland is facing a major challenge: by 2050, there will be a shortfall of around 50 terawatt hours of electricity per year,” noted Axpo Group.
Solar energy, with its vast potential, is poised to be a crucial component in shaping Switzerland’s future energy mix. The repurposing of satellite antennas into solar powerhouses exemplifies an innovative approach towards sustainable energy generation and a commendable step forward in the quest for greener, cleaner power sources.
This venture not only embodies Switzerland’s commitment to renewable energy but also exemplifies the remarkable potential that lies in reimagining and reutilizing existing technologies for a more sustainable future.