At a glance

Project facts

CountrySwitzerland Business areaInfra ServicesProject statusIn operation CommissioningDecember 2025Technology areaPhotovoltaics / electrical infrastructureSectorTransportUseTransport infrastructure / national roadTotal investment / implementation costsCHF 0.7 millionStory typeSpecialist referenceProject typeExpansion

Curea Elektro AG, part of the BKW Infra Services Group, supported the project with technical elaboration, optimisation and implementation.

175,000 kWhSolar power per year30 percentmore than the tunnel’s own requirements427PV modules920 m²Exposed concrete wall1.5 kmDC cable route500 volt DCSystem design

Existing infrastructure as a source of energy
Photovoltaics on roofs have long been established. But existing transport infrastructure also offers surfaces that can be used for energy production. The photovoltaic system at the FEDRO Alvaschein tunnel on Julierstrasse shows just how demanding such a solution can be. 427 PV modules were installed on a 920-square-metre exposed concrete wall. The system achieves an expected annual production of around 175,000 kilowatt hours. This means it produces around 30 per cent more electricity than the tunnel itself consumes. The project therefore shows the additional benefit that existing infrastructure can provide: an already existing structural surface becomes a source of energy. A challenging starting point
The technical implementation differed significantly from a conventional photovoltaic system on a building. The Alvaschein I retaining wall is located around 450 metres before the tunnel portal. A cable route of almost 1.5 kilometres had to be bridged between the PV system and the technical infrastructure. In addition, the site is located directly on a busy main traffic artery. The routing of cables along the road therefore required almost exclusively night work. The regulatory requirements were also high. An exceptional permit was required for the system. The prerequisites for this were complete technical documentation, robust calculations and close coordination with the responsible authorities.

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