Austria, Sölden: The Sölden mountain lifts are expanding their photovoltaic system on the Tiefenbach Glacier, increasing renewable energy production directly within the ski area. Once fully completed, the installation is expected to deliver more than 6 MW peak capacity and cover up to 100 % of the company’s electricity needs during summer months.
The project began in 2023 with the commissioning of an innovative solar generation system on the glacier. The Helioplant® solution, used for the first time in Austria, was designed specifically for alpine conditions, aiming to improve efficiency and energy yield in high mountain environments.
A one-year test phase was completed in 2024, confirming system performance under alpine conditions. Large-scale expansion work began in 2025, including foundation construction and installation of support structures. Around 50 % of the foundation work for a total of 800 elements has already been completed, along with the erection of 350 masts.
The 2026 phase marks the main construction period, running from May to October. During this time, the remaining photovoltaic units will be installed, alongside upgrades to electrical infrastructure. The full system will consist of 800 Helioplant® units with a total capacity of 6.3 MWp.
Two additional energy centres will be built for load distribution and system control, and the installation will be connected to the company’s medium-voltage network for direct on-site use.
Currently, 60 Helioplant units are already operating and supplying electricity to the grid. Final commissioning is planned for October 2026, after which the plant will move into continuous operation.
Source: Snow Sports News
