In Rjukan, Norway, the inhabitants were living in the shade for seven months out of each year. Now, they have three mirrors that reflect sunshine into the valley.
The idea of the mirrors was conceived already during the early years of the town’s existence. in 1900, Rjukan, 180 km west of Oslo, was still a collection of farms with 300 inhabitants, but by 1913, it developed itself into an important industrial location with 10,000 people living there. Industrialist Sam Eyde, the founder of the Norsk Hydro company, thought of reflecting sunlight into the valley, but he lacked the necessary resources.
Construction costs in the six-digit range
Ten years ago, artist Martin Andersen revisited the idea. Initially, it was planned that the project would be financed by the town funds, amounting to five million Swedish crowns (EUR 610,000). 80 percent of the costs were eventually borne by sponsors.
There are three mirrors, so-called heliostats, 17 sq m each. A computer controls them so that they capture the sunlight and send it into the market square, where it will have an elipse shape of about 600 sq m (about the size of three tennis courts).
Sunbeams are directed to the market square via remote-controlled mirrors. This is a story of enlightenment.
There are also similar projects in southern regions: since 2006, a similar facility has been working in Viganella, Italy.
Source: Spiegel Online
