The implementation of the project has had its challenges along the way, including several floods during the construction period.
On the positive side, local contractors and other suppliers have maintained progress. This, together with an operational project team, ensured that the project was completed within schedule.
Collaboration with landowners has been good. Their contributions in the form of local knowledge and presence, throughout all phases, have contributed to a smooth project implementation.
Sølia power plant has inflow from a catchment area of 23.8 km². Minimum water flow is 140 l/s – all year. Intake at elevation 229.5 and power plant at elevation 166 gives a fall height of 63.5 meters. Production is estimated at 6.35 GWh in a normal year. This corresponds to the electricity consumption of 318 households.
The Francis turbine has a maximum flow rate of 3.83 l/s and drives a 2200 kVA, 6.6 kV generator. All power is transformed up to 22 kV and delivered to the grid.
The intake is built as a concrete threshold with an overflow. The intake structure itself is a conventional concrete intake. The intake is well adapted to the terrain on site and appears as a modest intervention.
The penstock is made of GRP and ductile cast iron, and is buried from the intake to the station. The length is 660 m and the diameter is 1200 mm.
The power station building is constructed in the well-known Småkraft style, is 80 m², built above ground and well integrated into the terrain. The outlet is led in pipes into Storelva just below the road to Brattelia.
