The town of Rjukan, located in a narrow valley, is deprived of direct sunlight during the winter months. To compensate for this lack, giant mirrors have been installed on a nearby mountain, reflecting sunlight towards the town's central square.
The small town of Rjukan is nestled at the bottom of a narrow valley surrounded by steep mountains. Because it is located all the way down, for more than six months each year, from September to March, it sees almost no direct sunlight. During this period, natural light is limited to a faint indirect brightness, insufficient for the daily lives of the residents. This phenomenon creates a dark and cold atmosphere, not particularly ideal for the morale of the locals. To counter this lack of sunlight, Rjukan had to find an original solution.
To tackle the glaring lack of sunlight, Rjukan installed three giant mirrors, named "Solspeil", in 2013 on the heights of the neighboring mountain. The principle is quite simple: these ultra-wide mirrors, computer-controlled to move precisely following the sun, capture the sunlight located at altitude and redirect it right into the town center. As a result, even in the middle of winter, the residents finally enjoy a real bath of natural light in the central square, which was previously shrouded in shadow for nearly six months each year. Thanks to this simple yet technically advanced idea, Rjukan effectively combats its long winter darkness by artificially recreating its own little sunny spot.
On the slopes of the mountain, just above Rjukan, three giant mirrors are adjustable to capture sunlight. Their reflective surface is controlled by motors remotely operated by a computer, moving gently to precisely follow the position of the sun throughout the day. The mirrors, thus oriented, reflect light to a specific location in the heart of the city, called the central square. This creates a kind of artificial "spotlight" that illuminates the square as if it were receiving direct sunlight. Thanks to careful positioning, the residents enjoy natural, warm, and welcome light in a valley that is usually dark throughout the winter.
Thanks to these giant mirrors, the residents of Rjukan now have access to direct sunlight in the heart of the city, even during the dark winter months. This reflected sunlight clearly improves the mood and mental health of the residents, reducing the harmful effects associated with a lack of sun, such as seasonal depression. It also creates a true friendly meeting place in the city, attracting both residents and curious visitors. The presence of light thus contributes to local dynamism and fosters a more pleasant and sociable community life.
The giant mirrors installed in Rjukan cover a total area of about 50 square meters and can direct sunlight up to 600 meters lower, thereby illuminating an area equivalent to two tennis courts in the city center.
For six months during winter, the surrounding mountains almost completely deprive Rjukan of direct sunlight, leading to frequent feelings of melancholy among the residents. The installation of giant mirrors helps improve the moral and physical well-being of the citizens by bringing the sun back to the heart of the town.
Rjukan is now a model for other towns in very narrow valleys. The small Italian town of Viganella, located in an alpine valley, has also successfully used a giant mirror since 2006 to direct sunlight towards its town center during the winter.
Long before the modern installation of giant mirrors in 2013, the idea actually dates back to the Norwegian industrialist Sam Eyde, who proposed as early as 1913 to use mirrors to illuminate the city. However, due to the lack of available technology at the time, the project was abandoned in favor of a cable car to allow residents to regularly ascend and enjoy sunlight from the heights.
The mirrors of Rjukan operate using renewable energy provided by solar panels integrated into their installation. Their tilting and pivoting movement system consumes very little energy, ensuring sustainable operation.
Giant mirrors not only provide a direct benefit in terms of solar light exposure for residents, but also significantly improve morale during the winter period, reducing the risks of seasonal depression and boosting local social and economic life.
The mirrors used in Rjukan consist of three giant panels with a total area of approximately 51 square meters. They reflect sunlight and direct it straight towards the town's central square.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, a few other cities also use giant mirrors to redirect sunlight, including Viganella in Italy, which also faces a lack of sunshine due to its particular geographic position at the bottom of a valley."
The idea of using mirrors to illuminate the town of Rjukan was first suggested by the engineer Sam Eyde in 1913. However, due to a lack of appropriate technology at the time, the implementation only truly materialized in 2013 under the impetus of the Norwegian artist Martin Andersen.
Due to its particular geographical location at the bottom of a narrow valley, the city of Rjukan does not receive direct sunlight for about six months each year, from October to March.
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