Switzerland’s largest solar park is on the EPFL campus

The product of a partnership between Romande Energie and EPFL, the largest urban photovoltaic park in Switzerland was inaugurated a few days ago. The Romande Energie–EPFL solar park – whose construction had been announced in 2009 – became operational this week. Switzerland’s largest solar experimental plant covers the roofs of more than 25 buildings and […]

The product of a partnership between Romande Energie and EPFL, the largest urban photovoltaic park in Switzerland was inaugurated a few days ago.

The Romande Energie–EPFL solar park – whose construction had been announced in 2009 – became operational this week. Switzerland’s largest solar experimental plant covers the roofs of more than 25 buildings and has a surface area of 15,500 m². It will generate 2.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is equivalent to the annual consumption of 610 households, explains an EPFL press release.

The solar park will also serve as a major research and teaching laboratory, with the aim of developing innovative solar energy production technologies: in fact, 15% of the investment resulting from the partnership between Romande Energie and EPFL is devoted to several EPFL research teams working in this area. In addition, a "Romande Energie Solar Lab” set to open in the summer will allow researchers to test solar panel prototypes from their labs in the real-world environment.

The general public will be able to see the solar park up close as of July.