Swiss Research on Vertical Solar for Alpine Infrastructure: The FHGR Solar Vertical Project
Switzerland's own applied research community is actively studying vertical solar for alpine conditions. The Institute for Building in Alpine Regions (IBAR) at the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FH Graubünden) is running a project called "Solar Vertical," developing concrete recommendations for municipalities in the Surselva region on deploying vertical solar systems on public infrastructure buildings.
8/18/20262 min read
For a Swiss company like Lumiton Solar, this kind of domestic, alpine-specific research is directly relevant. It confirms, from an independent academic institution, several of the same principles that inform Lumiton's own vertical solar approach.
Why winter power generation is the focus
The FHGR project starts from a specific problem: Switzerland, and the Surselva region in particular, needs more winter electricity production, and suitable land or roof area for solar is limited in alpine terrain. The project's own framing notes that vertically oriented solar installations can deliver higher winter electricity yields in alpine regions, because conventional flat-mounted panels lose most or all of their output when covered in snow, while vertical or near-vertical panels are far less prone to snow accumulation in the first place.
Looking at infrastructure buildings specifically
Rather than focusing on rooftop solar for homes, the FHGR research targets public infrastructure buildings, a category that has been comparatively under-studied for solar potential. According to the project description, the requirements for solar installations on infrastructure buildings differ substantially from those on residential or commercial buildings within a settlement, which is precisely why the project treats potential assessment and implementation approaches for this building category as its central research question. The project also considers private buildings located outside standard building zones that may be suitable for solar use.
What the project aims to deliver
The stated output of the Solar Vertical project is a set of concrete recommendations for municipalities in the Surselva region, intended to show the potential and practical implementation options available so that local governments can pursue vertical solar projects on infrastructure buildings, either on their own or together with building owners and investors. The project is led by FHGR's Institute for Building in Alpine Regions, in partnership with Region Surselva's regional development office, and is funded through the Swiss Federal Office of Energy's EnergieSchweiz program for municipalities, running from January 2024 through November 2025.
Why this matters for vertical solar in Switzerland
Independent, publicly funded research from a Swiss university of applied sciences carries particular weight for anyone evaluating vertical solar within Switzerland specifically. It confirms that the core rationale for vertical solar, better winter performance in snow-prone alpine terrain and the ability to use infrastructure sites that would otherwise go unused, is being taken seriously at a policy and applied-research level, not just by commercial vendors.
Key takeaways
Alpine-specific research: conducted by FHGR's Institute for Building in Alpine Regions for the Surselva region.
Winter power as the priority: vertical orientation is highlighted for its ability to maintain output through snow-prone months.
Infrastructure buildings as the focus: targets public buildings rather than typical residential or commercial rooftops.
Municipality-oriented output: the project's deliverable is practical guidance local governments can act on.
Publicly funded: supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy's EnergieSchweiz program.
FAQ
What problem is the FHGR Solar Vertical project trying to solve?
It aims to help Surselva municipalities identify and implement vertical solar installations on public infrastructure buildings, with a particular focus on increasing winter electricity production in alpine terrain.
Why does vertical orientation matter for winter solar output in the Alps?
Flat-mounted panels can lose most of their output when covered in snow, while vertical or steeply angled panels are less prone to snow accumulation, helping maintain generation through winter months.
Is this project specific to Surselva, or broader?
The direct scope is the Surselva region, but the recommendations developed are relevant to similar alpine infrastructure contexts across Switzerland.
Explore vertical solar for Swiss alpine sites
Lumiton Solar can help evaluate whether a vertical solar system fits an alpine infrastructure site, drawing on the same winter-performance principles being studied by FHGR's IBAR institute.