Statkraft commissions Albanian solar advance

• Project in collaboration with Ocean Sun gets on the Banja reservoir

Statkraft, in cooperation with Norwegian supplier Ocean Sun, has started industrial operations at the initial unit of its floating solar project in Albania.

The project is put at the Banja reservoir in Albania, where Statkraft is running its 72MW Banja hydropower plant.

After the effective conclusion of the first floating solar system and link to the grid, the plant is now generating renewable resource as well as injecting the power right into the Albanian nationwide power grid.

Floating solar power entails setting up photovoltaic panels on floating structures on a body of water, such as a lake, fjord or ocean, or in a hydropower reservoir.

Each device includes a floating ring and also a slim membrane layer.

Combined with the air conditioning of the panels from the water listed below, it is this membrane layer as well as the big area that makes this idea unique.

The modern technology is established by Ocean Sun and although the membrane is only a few millimeters thick, it can quickly endure the weight of the solar panels and also of workers executing installation or maintenance tasks.

The initial device, comprising 1536 solar panels, has actually an installed capability of 0.5 MWp and also covers almost 4,000 square meters.

Furthermore, 160 equal panels have actually been positioned on land for comparison and also paperwork of the cooling impact on the floating panels.

The project is expected to continue its 2nd implementation phase during the second fifty percent of 2021, where additional three floating devices will be installed, with a mixed added ability of 1.5 MWp.

Statkraft chief executive Christian Rynning-Tønnesen said: "This is a terrific milestone in a cutting-edge floating solar project, as well as it is interesting to see the plant come active and provide added renewable resource production in Albania.

" We are looking forward to the concrete outcomes of this demonstration project to examine the capacity for additional growth of this amazing technology."

Statkraft's country head in Albania Rigela Gegprifti said: "Today's achievement marks a crucial turning point for Statkraft in Albania as well as an additional action in our goal to lead the shift to renewable resource with innovative services.

" After the start of industrial procedures of our Banja as well as Moglice hydropower plants, we are checking into additional optimising these sustainable assets.

" The Banja Floating Solar Plant is a concrete instance for more assimilation of various sources of renewable energy."

Ocean Sun chief executive Børge Bjørneklett claimed: "We are really delighted to begin commercial operations of the brand-new Ocean Sun flagship drifter at Statkraft's Banja reservoir.

" This demonstrates the secure, straightforward as well as fast building method.

" We were able to install the photovoltaic panels at document breaking rate.

" I want to say thanks to the proficient groups at Statkraft and also the local service provider Doko.

" The cooperation has been superb, as well as their capability and also expertise made the setup a pleasure from beginning to end.

" We anticipate the 2nd phase of the project and to demonstrate the high performance of our option."

Statkraft has existed in Albania since 2007.

The country with a populace of concerning 3 million individuals, has among the greatest shares of renewable resource in Southeast Europe.

Hydropower represent the biggest share of Albania's electricity generation, representing around 95% of its installed power capability.

Additionally, Albania has some of Europe's greatest number of sunshine hours annually, presenting considerable potential for the growth of solar power and also a good fit with existing hydropower capacity.