Rjukan implements solar mirror system to bring sunlight to valley town

The town of Rjukan, located in a narrow valley approximately 140 kilometers west of Oslo, has implemented a unique solution to combat its lack of direct sunlight during winter months. Due to the surrounding 1,800-meter mountains, the town receives no direct sunlight from late September to mid-March.

Originally conceived in 1913 by industrialist Sam Eyde, the idea to use mountain-mounted mirrors to redirect sunlight remained unfeasible for a century due to technological limitations. In 2013, local artist Martin Andersen revived the concept using modern technology.

Three computer-controlled mirrors, each measuring 17 square meters, were installed via helicopter on a mountain 450 meters above the town. These mirrors track the sun's movement and adjust their position every ten seconds to maintain a consistent beam of light. The system is solar-powered, generating its own electricity for movement. The mirrors create a 600-square-meter circle of light on the main town square, providing a communal space for residents to gather during the dark winter season.