For nearly six months of the year, the small Norwegian town of Rjukan is cast in a deep shadow, as its towering surrounding mountains block the winter sun. But thanks to a visionary project that combines technology and art, the town is no longer left in the dark. Three massive mirrors, installed on a mountain slope, are now reflecting sunlight into the town center, transforming life for its 3,400 residents.
The project, called “Solspeilet” (The Sun Mirror), was officially inaugurated in October 2013, 100 years after it was first conceived by the town’s founder, industrialist Sam Eyde. The modern version was brought to life by local artist Martin Andersen, who secured funding and support from the community to make the long-dormant dream a reality.
Perched 450 meters (1,476 feet) above the town square, the three computer-driven heliostats, each with a surface area of 17 square meters, are programmed to follow the sun’s trajectory across the sky. They precisely track its path and reflect a concentrated beam of light down into the valley, illuminating a 600-square-meter elliptical area in the main square from September to March.
“This is so warming. Not just physically, but mentally. It’s mentally warming,” said a local resident, Ingrid Sparbo, as she basked in the reflected light.
The mirrors don’t just provide a physical source of warmth and light; they have also revitalized the town’s social life, encouraging residents to gather in the square during the long winter months. The project has become a symbol of human ingenuity and a beacon of hope, proving that even in the face of natural barriers, a community can find a way to let the sun shine in.
