4,500 square metres of silicon solar cells on 20,000 square metres of land (approximately three football fields) transform sunlight directly into electric current; they produce about 600,000 kWh of electricity annually which can be used to provide electricity to 200 households. The Mount Soleil power station is also one of the biggest research and demonstration facilities in the field of photovoltaic power.
A well-established educational trail links the two mountains, Mount Soleil and Mount Crosin, in an appealing and enjoyable manner. Embedded in the typical landscape of the Bernese Jura, the trail leads you from one information board to the next, compellingly explaining everything you might wish to know about power supplies, wind energy, photovoltaic energy, the Jura wildlife and landscape, agriculture, and tourism.
An interesting alternative for visitors is to be taken directly by horse-drawn coach to the two power stations. As a consequence of ongoing expansion projects, the park will soon have two new wind turbines, making a total of eight.
Guided tours of both power stations, duration 1 hour. Bookings must be made in advance:
By phone +41 (0) 31 330 53 04 (mornings only)
or by fax +41 (0) 31 330 58 03
New attractions:
Observatory:
The latest scientific acquisition on Mount Soleil.
Trott'energy path:
Do you like strong emotions? If so, complete a Trott'energy path circuit!
Solar and Wind Power Stations at Mount Soleil and Mount Crosin
St-Imier
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The photovoltaic solar power station operates on Mount Soleil. Wind turbines stand on Mount Crosin.
How to get there:
By train or car: go from Biel or La Chaux-de-Fonds to St. Imier or Les Breuleux.
From St. Imier: take the funicular railway to Mount Soleil and the solar power station, from there take the educational trail (4 km) to the wind power station on Mount Crosin on foot, return to St. Imier by bus. The round trip can also be done in the other direction.
From Les Breuleux: a 5km walking path takes you from the train station to the wind power station (Mount Crosin), then you can follow the educational trail to the Mount Soleil solar power station and take the 6 km hiking trail back to Les Breuleux.
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Contact Information
- Jura bernois Tourisme
Place de la Gare 2
2610 St-Imier
Tel. +41 (0)32 942 39 42
Fax +41 (0)32 942 39 43
saintimier@jurabernois.ch
www.jurabernois.ch
- Link Jura Bernois

