Newsletter

The SunKid "Sunlift" - the first lift using solar power

The SunKid "Sunlift" - the first lift using solar power

The "Sunlift" in the Wilder Kaiser Brixental, made by SunKid, is powered by energy from photovoltaic cells.

 

Since December 2008, Westendorf is fully integrated into the Wilder Kaiser Brixental Ski World. A newly constructed 8-passenger gondola now carries passengers from both Westendorf and Brixen im Thale up to Choralpe Mountain. At the top, a shared upper lift station was added to the restaurant in the tightest of spaces.

A 5.5-km long dream descent, which does not end directly next to the new Ski World lift in Brixen, required a creative solution to return guests quickly and safely to the lower station. SunKid was able to offer the right solution: a combination of a Wonder Carpet with the Radius Side Exit and the SwissCord Lift.

A SunKid Wonder Carpet brings guests through an underpass up to the 224-metre long Sunlift. With a capacity of 900 passengers per hour, the connection to the lower station is an optimal solution. The special feature of the system is that the SunKid SwissCord Lift is powered exclusively by energy from photovoltaic cells.

The 113 m² photovoltaic system is installed on the front side of the Ski World lift FBM-garage, producing 12,000 kilowatt-hours each year - although the Sunlift only requires 9,000 kWh during one winter.

Manager Rudi Köck from the Brixen in Thale Lifts: "This photovoltaic system, at a total investment of approx. €70,000 is a small step in the right direction. We can even return the excess electricity back to the grid. Of course, it is only a small part of the consumption of a large lift, but our idea was to take the first step with this facility, and thereby point the way for other ski areas."

 

SunKid SwissCord specifications

 

  • Maximum length: 300 m
  • Maximum gradient: 15%
  • Lift speed: 0.1m – 1.8 m/sec.
  • Motor: 5.5 - 11 kW depending on lift length
  • Max. transport capacity: 720 pers./hr
  • Ascent possible on both sides of the lift
  • Electronic speed regulation via frequency inverter
  • Portable control box
  • Lift safety mechanism installed on top and bottom stations
  • Certified according to EU Directive 2000/9/EG
  • Motorised elevation adjustment system at top and bottom stations enabling rope to be raised by up to 5 metres. This means that:
    - the lift can be easily adapted to suit
      different guests (children and adults);
    - the lift can be adapted to different snow
      levels;
    - the snow under the rope can easily be
      prepared with a piste machine (rope can
      be raised to 3.80m above the snow
      level).
  • Plastic ATLAS rope with rubber grab handles
  • Mounted on bed plate foundations
  • Nolift attendant required to supervisethe facility (authorisation required)