Romande Energie installs 1,400 solar panels in Swiss alpine lake

Romande Energie has completed the installation of approximately 1,400 bifacial solar panels in the Lac des Toules, an alpine reservoir located in the Valais canton of Switzerland.

The project utilizes a specialized floating structure made of aluminum and polyethylene designed to accommodate significant fluctuations in water levels. Because the hydroelectric reservoir can drain up to 15 meters during certain times of the year, the flexible platform is anchored to the bottom with heavy weights. This allows the installation to rest on the reservoir floor when water levels are low and float once the water rises again.

This initiative serves as an experimental solar park. The goal is to test a system that can operate effectively both on land and on water throughout the year, optimizing the use of existing hydroelectric infrastructure for renewable energy production.