Switzerland's Axpo has energized 2.2 MW AlpinSolar Project as the country's 'largest' alpine solar power plant that's contracted to supply clean energy to local supermarket chain Denner under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for use in its stores.
Located above 2,500 meters above sea level in the Galrus Alps, the project has some 5,000 solar panels installed on the wall of Mutsee Dam. It had started generating electricity last autumn, but has become fully operational since the end of August 2022.
Axpo says the project will generate 3.3 million kWh annually, around more than 3 times power than a comparable facility in the Swiss midlands during winter as it will not be affected by fog and will also benefit from reflections off the snow.
It added that there is a huge demand for this winter electricity in the power mix because the country needs significantly more renewable production capacities during wintertime. Construction on the project by Axpo and Basel city's energy utility IWB started in mid-2021 (see Construction Begins On 'Largest' Swiss Alpine PV Plant).
"The solar panels that were already in operation during the winter of 2021/22 achieved a very high solar output and demonstrated the value of alpine photovoltaics," shared Axpo's Overall Project Manager for AlpinSolar, Christian Heierli.
While this may be the largest alpine solar facility to have become operational in Switzerland, it may not hold the title for too long. Swiss electricity producer and energy trader Alpiq is currently working on an 18 MW solar plant as the 'largest' high-alpine PV project in the Alps at between 2,000 and 2,200 meters above sea level (see Switzerland's 'Largest' Solar Installation).
Recently, the Swiss Competence Center for Procurement, Technology and Real Estate (armasuisse Immobilien) sought approval to set up one of the country's 1st small wind-solar hybrid systems as a test facility in the alpine terrain (see Hybrid Small Wind & Solar System In Swiss Alps).
.png?w=50&fm=png){kind=logo}