Switzerland is among the top 10 of countries with the most bicycles per capita, for that, it isn’t weird that they constantly innovate their cyclist infrastructure, as the creation of their first bike lane, able to produce electricity. Yes, as you read it, the famous cheese country has created a sustainable cycling lane, the perfect complement for a bike ride, the most already existing sustainable vehicle.
Solar horizon is Swiss
This bike lane was baptized as the solar horizon, build with solar panels and placed on Satigny, outside of Geneva. It was started to use since June 2023, and at the end of the year, on November, it was officially inaugurated.
This isn’t the only solar bike lane on the world, represents a step forward to build a better world. The features allow to be friendly with the environment, at the same time help to citizens.
Do you want to know all about this? We’ll explain you here.
How works the solar bike lane?
The project was under the company SIG. This bike lane has 468 solar and waterproof panels in one of the sections.
Through these devices can absorb and store solar light, allowing to produce around 200,000 KW/h per year. Meaning, the daily use of electric energy, equivalent to annual consumption of 65 homes of Geneva.
Likewise, the photovoltaic bike lane, measures 656 ft of length, is manufactured with concrete for their foundation, while to construct its structure it was use wood and metal. The construction lasted a total of 6 months and costed around 1,5 million of Swiss francs.
Solar bike lane, an answer to climate emergency
This bike lane is part of the general project of Geneva to combat the climate emergency. This city has as a purpose to reduce the 60% of local carbon footprint in the next 10 years. Their intention is for 2050 to achieve the carbon neutrality.
For that, the counselor of the Geneva state, Antonio Hodgers, commented that “every square meter of solar panels counts to face the climate emergency and allow to achieve the purpose of produce 350 GW/h of photovoltaic electricity in Geneva since now to 2030.”
According to Switzerland, in general, as part of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, its purpose is to reduce half of their greenhouse gas emissions for 2030 compared to levels on 1990.
