Photo: Blessed Investment
Faced with high winds, salt spray and the possibility of flooding at the site of Project Blue photovoltaic plant in Albania, Trina Solar optimized the risk with dual-glass modules and micropiles.
Trina Solar has started deliveries for Project Blue, a photovoltaic plant of 67.5 MW in peak capacity in Sheq Marinas in Fier county in western Albania. The provider of solar power solutions has been selected by Blessed Investment and Matrix Konstruksion, the developers, to deploy its ultra-high performance Vertex dual-glass bifacial modules and its new Vanguard 1P single-row trackers, together with software and technical support.
Fier hosts most of Albania’s large photovoltaic projects. The future solar power plant in Topoja, the first in the Balkans without any subsidies, is scheduled to be finished in December, Trina Solar said.
Results of climatological test determined optimal equipment
The firm stressed that it had to overcome a series of challenges: due to its coastal location, the site is susceptible to high wind loads and salt spray, and lies in an area of swampy terrain prone to flooding.
The company carried out in-depth climatological tests to review wind and snow loads and salt spray exposure, before working out the system layout and dynamics. For the swampy terrain, micropiles will be employed to ensure a firm foundation for the facility, which has a lifespan of more than 30 years, it said. Trina Solar opted for dual-glass modules so that they are resistant to the tough conditions.
It is one of the first projects in Europe to include Vanguard 1P single-row trackers
“I would like to specifically emphasize our collaboration with Trina Solar. It has been fruitful and enjoyable at the same time. We have managed to share capabilities and know-how which we think has been key to this successful cooperation. The team has taken all necessary steps to ensure long-term success, with the combined durability of the dual-glass Vertex modules and Vanguard 1P trackers set to be highly effective even in the site’s challenging coastal conditions,” President of Matrix Konstruksion Arian Leskaj said. He added that the cooperation would be expanded to new and ongoing projects.
From initial consultation to post-project support
Blue 1 and Blue 2 are envisaged to have 50 MW in capacity each. The current project is one of the first in Europe to use Vanguard 1P, Trina Solar said. The photovoltaic panels have 650 W and 655 W.
“This project is another major development in our growth in Eastern Europe, particularly regarding our ability to deliver system-level solutions that cover the full process from initial consultation, all the way through to design, implementation, and post-project support. This ensures the system is fully optimised and the various components are perfectly integrated with one another, given all products come from Trina Solar,” said the company’s President for Europe, Middle East and Asia Gonzalo de la Viña.
Blue 1 is one of three major solar power plants under construction in Albania.
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