Upright PV project on dam in Alps obtains authorization

• Swiss developer Axpo is currently changing the style of the 2 MW plant and also is anticipated to make a decision on building and construction later on this year. It is presently in arrangements with prospective electrical energy customers.

In November, Axpo provided strategies to construct the very first towering PV plant in Switzerland. The 2 MW system will certainly be improved the Muttsee dam, at an elevation of practically 2,500 meters over water level.

The authorities in the canton of Glarus ultimately accepted the project on Wednesday, together with the town of Glarus Süd and also the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.

Axpo claimed that it will certainly currently attempt to appoint the plant and also develop by the summer season of 2021. Nevertheless, it is still attempting to clear up funding setups, claimed Christoph Sutter, head of brand-new power at Axpo.

"We remain in arrangements with business that have an interest in buying the Muttsee plant," he clarified, keeping in mind that Axpo will certainly make a decision on when the project will certainly be constructed at some time later on this year.

Returns from PV system at high elevations show up appealing, with the prospective to create around 2.7 GWh of solar energy. Axpo has actually additionally carried out current research studies on wind and also snow tons.

Scientists at the Swiss Institute for Snow and also Avalanche Research (SLF) just recently ended that high snow tons might take place. This can influence the foot of the wall surface, where snow will certainly collect. To avoid long-lasting damages to the solar components, Axpo will certainly require to somewhat adjust its system layout. A total amount of around 6,000 solar components will certainly be set up on a location of 10,000 square meters.

Over the following couple of weeks, the business additionally intends to relate to include the system to a listing of lighthouse projects under the Federal Office of Energy. Yet prior to that occurs, a choice requires to be made regarding the particular layout of the PV system. The first strategy was to set up the top module level at a slope of 77 levels as well as the reduced one at 51 levels. The grid link for the project is currently in position for the south-facing dam.

Axpo anticipates the PV system to supply around half of its electrical energy manufacturing in the cold weather. High elevations use the benefit of much less haze and also even more sunshine. The performance of the components is additionally greater at reduced temperature levels.

Furthermore, the bifacial result is boosted by snow cover in the winter months, as Axpo clarified in November. It consequently really hopes that the project will certainly aid to resolve winter season electrical energy lacks in Switzerland.