Potential of Electricity Generation with Solar Energy in Turkey

Abstract

Energy necessity increases depending on the development of technology. Our energy needs is depending on foreign countries. Therefore, energy expenditures constitute a sizable ratio of our budget. Because of this, renewable energy sources have high potential in our country is becoming very important. In addition, external conventional energy sources which we depend on foreign countries pollute and threat the environment. Therefore, it should encourage the use of renewable energy sources and should be disseminated. However, using the renewable energy sources possible by could be considered new technologies, can be costly. A good feasibility study, redeem the manufacturer from high costs and increases the efficiency. Considered to be Turkey is a developing country, day by day need for energy will be increased. This need can be met by establishing different types of power plants. To reduce dependence on foreign it must pass the condition as energy-producing country. Wind energy and solar energy must be taken seriously cause of a renewable energy source. In recent years, the number of solar field has been increasing in Turkey (Koca, and Aksungur,2017). Turkey, owned by its geographical location has very good condition compared to most countries in terms of solar energy potential. The most solar energy field of Turkey is South East Anatolia region and the Mediterranean region and eastern Anatolia region followed. When examined Figure 5, solar energy potential of Eastern Anatolia is a very good level compared to other regions of Turkey. After the Mediterranean region and the Southeast Anatolia region, Eastern Anatolia region is the most suitable in terms of electricity generation with solar energy. Given that Turkey is a developing country day by day, it is inevitable that the energy needed to increase continuously. Especially in terms of solar energy, our country has a high solar energy potential compared to other countries. However, developed European Union countries which have less potential of solar energy from Turkey, benefit from solar energy more than Turkey (Koca, and Aksungur,2017). With a population reaching 80 million, Turkey’s energy consumption based on primary energy resources is continuing to increase. Solar energy has an important place in Turkey's renewable energy road map. Solar Energy is the most important alternative clean energy resource which is still untapped in Turkey. The yearly average solar radiation is 1311 kWh/m² per year and 3,6 kWh/m² per day. The total yearly insulation period is approximately 2460 hours per year and 7,2 hours per day. The energy yield potential for a PV plant is 1300-1600 kWh/kWp (Koca, and Aksungur,2017). As of February 2017, Turkey's grid-connected solar energy capacity has reached 1362,60 MWe. The share of solar power plants in all power plants is still at the level of 0.88 percent. With current solar power plants, about 1505 gigawatts of electricity can be generated annually. This amount of production corresponds to 0.39 percent of Turkey's total electricity energy needs.

Keywords: Solar energy, Türkiye, Electric