On July 4th, an inspiring event took place in Landquart. The public square outside the train station hosted a campervan powered entirely by solar energy – a Swiss first. Developed with the support of CSEM and EPFL, this innovative van, called Soleva, drew the attention of children, parents, and curious passersby. All day long the team behind the van offered activities and Kinderlab Landquart, talks, and workshops that showcased the possibilities of eco-friendly transportation and renewable energy.
The event aimed to raise awareness among the public and young people about sustainable mobility and its everyday application. The morning kicked off with a conference at Technopark Graubünden, where the Soleva project took center stage. Equipped with ultra-light solar modules developed by CSEM and EPFL, the van served as a tangible demonstration of how sustainable mobility can be put into action.
Curdin Wuethrich, CEO of Soleva, holding the presentation on Soleva at Technopark Graubünden.
In the afternoon, the Soleva team presented infographics to passersby and children comparing the energy consumption of cars to that of other means of transport, such as bicycles and public transportation. These graphs aimed to illustrate the relative energy efficiency of each mode of transport.
Interactive activities to raise public awareness about renewable energies were a great success.
To make these concepts more tangible, a basin with two fountains was set up. One fountain was powered by a solar panel, while the other was operated by a bicycle pedal. The children were invited to pedal to maintain the height of the fountain. This interactive setup helped them understand the difference between power and energy: they observed that the bicycle pedal required constant effort to keep the fountain height steady, while the solar panel provided more stable but less intense power. This illustrated in a fun and educational way how solar energy and physical effort can be used to generate power.
"Seeing the children get excited about solar energy is incredibly motivating. It shows that the future of our planet is in good hands," declared David Schmid, Head of Regional Development & Relations at CSEM and President of the Kinderlab Association.
Children were able to make their own solar-powered dragonfly.
The Soleva van wasn't the only attraction that fascinated participants with its practical demonstrations. Elisabeth Flury-Schneller, founder and director of the Kinderlab, along with David Schmid and Mevio, a young "Kinderlab expert," also captivated the audience. Together, they led a hands-on workshop where children had the opportunity to build a motorized dragonfly using a solar kit.
During this workshop, the children learned to assemble the different parts of the kit, including solar panels, a small motor, and the necessary components to build the dragonfly. They discovered how solar energy can be converted into mechanical energy to make the dragonfly move. This exercise was not only fun but also served as a creative introduction to science and technology—disciplines that are too often absent from the daily lives of the new generations.
Through initiatives like Soleva and institutions like Kinderlab, CSEM aims to actively raise public awareness about the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. This commitment to sustainable innovation and education prepares future generations to tackle tomorrow's environmental challenges.
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