“Solar Coaster” 2020

Lerum, Sweden

“Solar Coaster” is a solar cell power station designed and built at a private residence in Lerum just outside of Göteborg. The property owner hired NHA Design Studio to design and build an alternative solution to mounting solar cells on the roof of the houses and other structures. The final design was a roller coaster structure that turns and climbs around the garden and up a hill. “Solar Coaster” is a timber construction that follows the landscape and supports over 100 solar cell panels. The structure is designed as a covered walk way around the garden with pergola like sitting areas. As the structure turns to follow the landscape the angle of inclination increases. At one end of the “ Solar Coaster” the the panels lay at 7 degrees facing South East which is ideal for summer and high sun. As the “Solar Coaster” turns and climbs the hill in the garden the angle of exposure changes to face South West and the panel inclination increases to almost 40 degrees. The solar array produces more than enough energy for entire household and charging of two fully electric automobiles.