Offset CO2!
Offset your flight emissions Offset your car emissions Offset your household emissions
Offset your company emissons Offset your event emissions Donate for the reduction of carbon emissions
Calculate and offset your CO2 emissions simply and efficiently! Click on one of the icons above!
Cart

Solar energy and energy efficiency in canton Valais


Students from the ETH Zurich surveying on Monte Rosa.

Project Type
SunSun Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency
Project NameMonte Rosa SAC Hut
Project LocationSwitzerland, Canton Valais, Untere Plattje
Project StandardVER (Swiss Project)
Emission Reductions300 t CO2e (over 10 years)
Situation without projectDiesel and petroleum-based energy supply
Project StatusOperation
Project ValidationPending
Project StartFebruary 2010

The Monte Rosa cabin is located in the Valais Alps and enjoys great popularity among alpinists. The carbon offset project backs solar energy and energy efficiency and can forgo the conventional fossil-based energy supply of the cabin to some extent.

Through the utilization of solar thermal energy, photovoltaics and a district heating plant (CHP unit), the energy and heat demand of the new SAC cabin "Monte Rosa" is  ensured to some extent. This way it is possible to partly forgo both the conventional diesel and coal-based provision as well as a possible switch to diesel and oil .

The new Monte Rosa cabin is a ground-breaking research and development project by the ETH Zurich in collaboration with the SAC and the Empa. Located in the middle of a glacier landscape, the project proves that sustainable construction is possible even under such extreme conditions. The innovative reconstruction gives valuable impulses for the Swiss building industry.

The cabin is being remodelled using the latest methods of building technology and architecture in such a way that the greatest possible energetic independence is achieved. 84 m² of photovoltaic cells supply power for the waste water treatment, ventilation, illumination and household appliances. Surplus energy is stored in batteries and covers a part of the power supply even in case of an overcast sky. Thermal solar collectors cover partially the heat demand for heating and warm water. An additional advantage is that through the utilization of solar energy, numerous fuel transports per helicopter become unnecessary, thus leading to further emission reductions.

In comparison with the old Monte Rosa cabin, the CO2 emissions resulting from operations are being reduced by more than two-thirds per overnight stay.

No. 7113