Floating Solar Power Plant in Albania Repaired

Floating Solar Power Plant in Albania Repaired

In June, the initial floating solar panel system located at Banja reservoir suffered damage. Credit: Offshore Energy.

The Norway-based Ocean Sun, got the floating solar power project at the Banja reservoir in Albania, back online.. A tornado damaged the 500 kW unit last year simply days after it was commissioned.

Floatovoltaics are an exciting name for solar panels set up on water. Which helps cool the devices and improve performance. The supporters of the technology point out that covering a lake decreases evaporation.

It is particularly beneficial for hydropower plant operators. Statkraft placed the first such photovoltaic unit in the Balkans into operation almost a year back, yet disaster struck some days later.

The 500 kW ring-fenced system in Albania was struck by a tornado. According to Norway-based Ocean Sun, which installed it. The firm recognized it was partly submerged, which it experienced severe damages. Yet it currently claims that it is back online.

A ring-fenced floating PV system can hold up against 50-year winds

“Ocean Sun consulted the best meteorologists to anticipate the brand-new expected 50-year return winds. Leading naval architects were consulted to assess design and mooring for the brand-new adverse weather conditions that we currently also can expect in Europe,” according to Founder and Chief Executive Officer Børge Bjørneklett. That included that “several lessons were learned.”

Ocean Sun CEO Bjørneklett: Many lessons were learned

The demonstrator floater at Statkraft’s 72 MW Banja hydropower plant reservoir near Gramsh in central Albania is prepared to consist of four equal-sized units. The update reads. Ocean Sun claimed the 2 MW floating photovoltaic plant would certainly be finished this year. The financial investment price was at first estimated at EUR 2 million.

Ocean Sun enters more markets this year.

The first unit spans virtually 4,000 square meters and has 1,536 solar panels. While an additional 160 panels were positioned on land nearby, Exit.al reported. The broken assets were carried ashore to be fixed.

Ocean Sun, which likewise has offices in Singapore and Shanghai. Said the floating power plant’s design was verified by DNV, an independent assurance, and risk management provider. The Norwegian company emphasized that it anticipates getting in several other markets by the end of the year.

Another floating solar power plant project is underway in Albania. Private as well as state-owned utilities in Greece, Romania, and Montenegro are additionally making the initial steps to use the brand-new technology.


Read the original article on Balkan Green Energy News.

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