A “wall” of solar panels has been installed on Switzerland’s largest dam as the country tries to maximize green energy production and cut bills during the winter months, Reuters reports.

Electricity bills, a problem in EuropePhoto: Andriy Popov / Panthermedia / Profimedia Images

The dam on Lake Muttsee in the canton of Glarus in central Switzerland rises over 2,400 meters above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The Alpin Solar project team sees this as a key advantage.

“One of the advantages of alpine solar installations is that, especially in winter, they produce three times as much electricity as comparable installations in the hills,” says Jeanette Schrantz, spokeswoman for Swiss power producer Axpo.

About 5,000 solar panels installed on the dam produce 3.3 million kilowatts per year, enough electricity to power about 700 homes.

Last year, the installation of the panels was completed and they began to be used to capture solar energy.

Schrantz says that Switzerland’s mountains suffer less from fog in the colder months, meaning the panels receive more light than at lower altitudes.

“Reflection from the snow also helps,” she explains, adding that “solar cells love the cold and work better in cold temperatures.”

Switzerland wants more green energy in winter

AlpinSolar is just one of the projects undertaken by Axpo, which says it plans to install 4,200 such installations in Switzerland’s mountains and lowlands by 2030.

The Swiss government has also taken steps to promote renewable energy companies.

Last year, the country’s federal parliament approved a new law that cuts the red tape associated with solar panel projects that aim to generate significant amounts of power during the winter months.

However, Switzerland’s “appetite” for green energy is related to its decision to gradually abandon nuclear energy.

In 2011, the country’s parliament voted not to replace any of the existing nuclear reactors, a decision confirmed by a referendum held in 2017. The first nuclear power plant was disconnected from the system two years later.

“Alpine solar installations can make an important contribution here,” says Schranz.