Monitoring solar power generation systems in Albania

What is the solar energy potential in Albania?

Albania has an average of 2,400 hours of sun around 240-300 sunny days per year, with significant potential to exploit solar energy. The potential solar energy that could be generated per annum is calculated at approximately 1500-1700 kWh/m 2.

Is solar a viable alternative to electricity in Albania?

A move toward more solar is partly an attempt to diversify Albania’s electricity sources. In “ Evaluation and integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Albanian energy landscape,” which was recently published in Solar Compass, the scientists said that solar is an adaptable and affordable alternative, given Albania’s sunny climate.

Is Albania a good place for solar energy?

Albania gets about 2100–2700 hours of sunshine in a year so it has a great potential for solar energy. Solar energy is easily accessible since most energy comes directly or indirectly from the sun. It could be used for heating and lighting homes, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Could solar power reduce Albania's reliance on energy imports?

Albanian researchers say that solar could be key to reducing Albania’s reliance on energy imports, but the nation will need to invest in grid infrastructure, streamline laws, and enhance access to funding to support deployment.

What incentives are there for PV development in Albania?

There are already incentives in place to bolster PV development in Albania across three mechanisms: net metering for PV systems up to 500 kW, feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for projects of up to 2 MW, and an auction scheme for large-scale solar facilities.

What is the largest solar power plant in Albania?

In late 2023 the 140MW Karavasta solar power plant was completed, having taken Voltalia of France 15 months to build, it is the largest in Albania to date. A 100 MW solar power project called Spitalla in Durrës area is planned to be built next.