Norwegian town relies on giant mirrors for sunlight during winter

Team Udayavani, Jul 18, 2021, 1:08 PM IST

Source: visitnorway

Rjukan, a Norwegian town situated between two high mountains where residents lived without sunlight for about 6 months has now found a hack so the residents can get sunlight even during the winter in a particular area.

Rjukan, located in the valley near the Telemark area of Southern Norway, was developed as a hydro powerhouse for all those workers working in Norsk Hydro, a  Norwegian aluminum, and renewable energy company.

It was built between 1905 and 1916 by its founder and entrepreneur Sam Eyde who constructed a hydroelectric power plant there. The founder dreamed of making a giant mirror to deflect the sunlight to get a bit of rays by 1913, however, it could not happen during his lifetime.

A gondola lift, also known as an aerial tramway or cryopen, was built to take citizens into the mountains so that they could get vitamin D, as an alternative.

The local people along with artist Martin Anderson worked hard to make Sam’s dream come true. ‘Rjukan sun mirror’ was officially used after a wait of almost a century, and now the local residents can take sunlight in an area of 6,500 square feet of the city. About 80 percent of the sun’s rays are sent towards the city with the help of mirrors.

According to the information, in the year 2015, this place was recognized as the eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site of Norway.