Solar flower at landfill

A solar plant shaped like a flower five meters tall has recently "bloomed" at the Vienna landfill Rautenweg. By setting up this plant, the Waste Management Department of the City of Vienna advocates the use of solar energy and other alternative forms of energy.

When this solar flower is put into operation, its petals spread and turn towards the sun. Electric energy generated in this way is mainly used to power a train that takes the visitors of Rautenweg on a sightseeing tour of the landfill. The solar flower will annually produce 3,000 kWh of electric energy, which is more than an average household in Viena consumes in a year.

The Rautenweg landfill occupies a total surface area of 60 hectares, which is the size of 85 football pitches put together. The city of Viena has invested a lot a money in the modernization of Rautenweg, with the aim of making it environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient. Since 2009, this landfill is used only the disposal of processed waste.

Rautenweg is open to visitors from May to October, every Friday and every first Saturday of the month.