Albania’s first floating solar plant has relaunched almost a year after it sank shortly after its initial launch.
Located on the Banja reservoir in southeastern Albania, the plant was launched by Norweigan floating solar technology company Ocean Sun in collaboration with Starkraft and was connected to the grid in June 2021. It sat just above a 72Mw hydropower plant, also operated by Starkraft.
The structure consisted of a large, floating ring and a thin membrane. The coolness of the water underneath reduces the panels’ temperature, which is in direct sunlight. The technology is unique, and while the membrane is only a couple of millimetres thick, it was supposed to support the weight of the panels on top.
There were some 1536 individual solar panels on this plant with a capacity of 0.5 MWP and covering a surface of some 4,000 square meters. A further 160 panels were placed on land nearby.
During the second half of 2021, three additional floating units were supposed to be constructed and connected. Combined, they would generate 1.5 MWP.
Unfortunately, just a week after it was launched, it sunk.
The company reported, “severe damage” resulting in its partial submersion.
“Salvaging the assets, including solar panels, is ongoing. The company is working closely with Statkraft to determine the reasons and the consequences of the incident,” Ocean Sun said shortly after the sinking.
The damaged assets were then transported ashore to be fixed.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Starkraft said the unit was operational as of 1 April.
