Solar furnace

On the way up to the tennis tournament in Font Romeu, I called in to see the Solar furnace. The solar furnace (four solaire) was built in 1949. It was the first solar furnace in the world, an enormous construction of 1420 mirrors. This dual reflection solar furnace has been in steady evolution over the past 50 years.  Along with continued scientific research, the solar furnace is used for industrial and manufactured products such as the firing of ceramics, and bronze and aluminium products. One of the first commercial objects manufactured there was the whistle for the famous Petit Train Jaune. Pottery and bronzes manufacture at the four solaire can be bought in the souvenir shop on site. There are more than 30,000 visitors per year.  A programme of experiments and demonstrations is part of the guided visit, for example the concentration of the solar rays to produce temperatures between 2000 °C and 3500 °C, the ignition of wood, melting of metal, and ceramic cooking.

The tennis was enjoyable. I lost my first match in the super tiebreak which seems to be becoming a bit of a habit! However I won my second match 6-0, 6-0. There will be two more matches tomorrow.