Energy Supply

Solar Power for the Space Eye

As an educational center for space and the environment, Space Eye views sustainability not only as a topic for teaching, but also as an integral part of its own operations. In collaboration with the Bern University of Applied Sciences, an energy supply system tailored specifically to the site was therefore developed that intelligently stores renewable energy and makes it available for the site’s operations.

The energy supply system consists of a photovoltaic (PV) system and a battery energy storage system (BESS). The solar panels on the roof of the neighboring farm convert sunlight into electrical energy during the day and feed it into the storage system. In addition to Space Eye, the farm itself, the historic Schaerer Observatory, and the Schaerer residence also benefit from this energy supply.

The energy generated is used primarily to meet local demand and support day-to-day operations. Surplus energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery system and is available to all consumers at a later time, for example during nighttime observations with the telescope or when solar radiation is low. Only when the battery is fully charged is surplus energy fed into the public grid.

The battery storage system itself is also particularly innovative: the system uses so-called “second-life batteries.” These are used lithium-ion batteries that were originally employed in another application—such as electric vehicles—and are now given a second life for stationary energy storage. This allows valuable resources to be used for longer and further helps protect the environment.