As residents of the Norwegian city returned sun

The Kingdom of Norway is a very picturesque and extremely mountainous country. In the South of the state is a small town of Rjukan. From Oslo it is separated by only 30 kilometers. Their name the city owes to the waterfall. Rjukan is surrounded by high mountains, which cast a dense shade. When the days get shorter, the city five months immersed in the twilight. Recently, the situation has changed. Now sunlight all year round generously illuminates the shady street.

The city authorities returned to the residents sunlight with giant mirrors.

A complex system located on a mountain slope. During the day, mirrors are rotated to follow the sun, reflecting its light on the city streets. Unique project cost the city five million kronor, which is equivalent to 37 million rubles. The Rjukan goodbye to the reputation of the dark cities of the planet.

Before the mountain was completely blocked by the sunlight during the autumn and winter season. In late September the sun was hidden behind the mountain peaks and came back only in early March. Almost half the residents saw only the reflected ambient light. Cheap electricity generated with the help of a mountain stream, slightly brightened the twilight. However, artificial light may not serve as a replacement for sunlight.

The city authorities decided to put an end to the dark reputation of the dark city. For the realization of an unusual project took five million crowns. On the mountain slopes established a system of mirrors that catch the sun's rays and reflect them on the city like a huge solar bunnies. The mirrors automatically rotate following the sun. Solar panels provide system power.

The unusual decision does not harm the natural environment. Mirror complex is located in 450 meters above the city. The total area of the reflecting surface of 17 square meters. The reflected sunlight lights up the streets of Rjukan year round.

Residents reacted ambiguously to the change of illumination. Most of them used to live in twilight for five months. However, they acknowledge that Rjukan has become much more comfortable. The sun gives people a good mood, warmth.

Although the project aroused a lot of criticism. Residents have blamed the city authorities in populism, unjustified spending budget. Many believe that a "piece of sunlight" cost the city too much. Others it seems incredible that "cheap trick" can be useful. However, the critics changed their minds when they increased the flow of tourists.

Fans of ice climbing, Rjukan has long been popular for mountain glaciers. However, few people stayed in the city for a long time with the onset of autumn-winter season.

Interestingly, the idea to establish in the mountains of mirrors appeared long ago. In 1913, the town's founder, Sam ade has already tried to return the residents sunlight. But it didn't work out. One hundred years before local artist Martin Andersen has embodied an unusual project. To a considerable extent this was facilitated by modern technology. A hundred years ago it was impossible to create automatic system of light collection that I have solar panels. Although Rjukan lost the status of the dark city of the planet, its inhabitants found joy and good mood at any time of the year.