During one of the darkest days of the year on December 12, the “Lilla Norrskenet” pilot facility outside Luleå was deployed. The innovative solar park is a pilot project aimed at overcoming the challenges of snow to maximize the potential of solar energy in northern regions.

Located next to Alviksgården outside Luleå, the facility features vertically mounted bifacial panels positioned in an east and west direction. The design reduces losses from snow shading compared to tilted panels where snow easily accumulates and risks to remain for a prolonged period of time. With reduced snow accumulation issues, the park will also benefit from reflections from snow-covered ground on sunny winter days, potentially producing more than traditional tilted panels.

Rows of vertical modules also make it possible to farm in between the rows and produce electricity close to non-stop during the long days of summer.

Production data from the park will be analyzed to evaluate how this design performs in a climate with more snow and long summer days. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the preferred mounting method for solar parks in nordic climate in order to contribute to the transition to fossil-free industry in the North of Sweden.

A special thank you to Luleå Business Region for support and EnergiEngagemang Sverige AB for good cooperation to realize the pilot in record speed.

The project is nominated for the Solar Energy Prize 2024 in the category “Land Facility of the Year”. Learn more here.