Why is Albania increasing its use of solar power?

Albania is increasing its use of solar power for electricity production due to several reasons, including the Ukraine war and rising energy prices. Albania leads the Balkans in an ecological-footprint ranking by Global Footprint Network (GFN) — the organization behind the Earth Overshoot Day initiative.

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.

What are the advantages of floating solar power plants in Albania?

According to the chief executive of Ocean Sun — a Norway-based manufacturer of floating solar power systems — the solar plants they are installing in Albania have the additional advantage of not using arable land and avoiding deforestation.

Is Albania a net energy exporter?

Albania is a net energy importer, with imports ranging from about 12% of its Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) in 2015 to a high of 46% in 2017. The country imports a significant portion of its energy.

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.

How is electricity produced in Albania?

Most of Albania’s electricity is produced using hydropower from a network of dams along its mountainous rivers. Image: Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy - This passage describes the source of Albania's electricity, which is hydropower.