(From left): Henriette Stanley (SBH Economic Development Agency), Francesca Hermann (City of Furtwangen), Thomas Bleile (IG Metall), and Christoph Reich (HFU Vice-president) are pleased to present the “SolarButterfly” programme at a press conference. Image source: City of Furtwangen
Solar Butterfly visits HFU Furtwangen and Schwenningen campuses
Swiss national Louis Palmer is by no means a stranger to Furtwangen. Back in 2025, he captivated guests at the city’s business breakfast with his talk on climate protection and sustainability. Now, with the support of the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Skilled Workers Alliance, Furtwangen University, and the City of Furtwangen, he returns to the Black Forest to present his solar-powered vehicle, the “SolarButterfly.”
Louis Palmer, considered one of Switzerland’s best-known sustainability ambassadors, will showcase his “SolarButterfly” over two days in Furtwangen and Schwenningen.
On 9 June, he will first present his unique vehicle to students at Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium in the morning, before proceeding to the Robert-Gerwig-Platz to set up the solar car there.
The public and HFU students are invited from 2.00pm on to immerse themselves in a world of sustainability solutions through a series of short talks by Louis Palmer throughout the afternoon. In addition to touring the “SolarButterfly”, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts on various sustainability topics at discussion tables. These include researchers from the HFU as well as representatives from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy and Hydrogen in Freiburg and the wvib (Baden Association of Industrial Enterprises). At 5.00pm this informative day will conclude with another lecture by Louis Palmer and a discussion with Professor Christoph Wittwer of the Fraunhofer Institute.
On the following day, 10 June, Louis Palmer will present his “SolarButterfly” in Schwenningen, where he will showcase his solar-powered vehicle to university and high school students on the HFU campus. From 2.00pm onwards, the public is invited to see it for themselves. Various “Future tables” will also offer insights into current research and practical projects.
The highlight and conclusion of the two-day event series will be an inspiring interactive lecture by Louis Palmer entitled “The World Is Full of Solutions” starting at 7.00pm on the HFU Schwenningen campus (Jakob-Kienzle-Str. 17). Attendance is free of charge but due to limited seating, Internal link opens in the same window:advance registration on the Furtwangen University website is recommended.
These two event days are made possible through the cooperation between the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Skilled Workforce Alliance, Furtwangen University, the City of Furtwangen, the SBH Economic Development Agency, IG Metall Villingen-Schwenningen, and the SBH Innovation Network, as well as with the support of the State of Baden-Württemberg. In addition, the Furtwangen Community Foundation and the Energy Transition Association will be supporting the event in Furtwangen.
Further information: Louis Palmer became famous for his round-the-world trip in a solar-powered vehicle − today he is on the road with the “SolarButterfly,” a one-of-a-kind solar-powered vehicle shaped like a butterfly. In his talks, Palmer impressively demonstrates how concrete solutions for climate protection are already being implemented today − in a practical, understandable and inspiring way. His programme is deliberately aimed at young audiences − the goal being to motivate students and schoolchildren to actively engage with issues of the future and develop their own ideas.