Norway has installed massive mirrors on mountain slopes to reflect sunlight into towns that go without direct sun for months during winter. This innovative solution was implemented in Rjukan, a small town nestled deep in the Vestfjord Valley in southern Norway.

Due to the steep mountains surrounding it, Rjukan doesn’t receive direct sunlight from September to March. According to CNET, the town installed three giant mirrors in 2013, each about 183 square feet, on a nearby mountainside to reflect sunlight into the town square.

These mirrors are remote-controlled, powered by solar and wind energy, and programmed to follow the sun’s path across the sky. They sit roughly 1,476 feet above the town and rotate on two axes to direct sunlight down into the valley. The project was inspired by an idea first proposed in 1913 by the town’s founder, Sam Eyde, but only became feasible with modern technology.

According to The Hyper Hive, the mirrors have transformed life in Rjukan, allowing residents to enjoy natural light during the darkest months. It’s a striking example of how engineering and creativity can overcome geographic challenges.