International Renewable Energy Congress

November 5-7, 2010 – Sousse, Tunisia

Turkey Solar Potential and Viability of Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in

Central Anatolia

Sevnur Eyigün1, Önder Güler1

1ITU Energy Institute, Ayazaga Campus, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

e-mail: elecsevnur@gmail.com ; onder.guler@itu.edu.tr

Abstract - In this study, Turkey’s electrical energy transferred to PVsyst program

status are summarized, information about world’s
and Turkey’s solar energy status, supporting
models and simulation results given for viability
of solar photovoltaic 2.5MW power plant using
both poly crystalline and thin film modules
technologies in Central Anatolia for Turkey with
the help of Metonorm meteorological data from
1996 to 2005 was transferred to PVsyst program.
According to calculations results, yearly
production capacity is found 3934110 kWh with
17.96% capacity factor for poly crystalline
modules, and 4188278 kWh with 19.12% capacity
factor for thin film modules PV power plant.
2. Turkey Electrical Energy Status
Turkey electricity generation capacity in 2007
(40836 MW), compared to the previous year, there is
no remarkable increase, in 2008 with an increase of
912 MW (2.23%) total capacity reached to 41748
MW [1]. May 2009 as of installed capacity reached
to 44065 MW According to the source of electric
power distribution is given in Figure 1 [1].

Keywords – Turkey Solar Potential, Electrical

Energy, Photovoltaic Power Plant,, PVsyst
Program.

1. Introduction
Today, there are only handful self-sufficient
countries in terms of total energy consumed. This
situation force countries to develop workable
strategies on energy trade and security concerns. It is
important to control and manage energy resources,
moreover efficient use of these resources enables to
sustainable development and economic growth.
Turkey is increasingly reliant on imported sources of
oil and natural gas, to supply this demand, almost all
of renewable energy forms are found in our country
to comply the need for sustainable energy. Even, our
country, because of its geographical position, solar
energy potential is better than many other countries,
very high installation costs and similar effects limit
the benefit from these energy sources.
In this study, Turkey’s electrical energy status are
summarized, information about world’s and Turkey’s
solar energy status, supporting models and simulation
results given for viability of solar photovoltaic
2.5MW power plant using both poly crystalline and
thin film modules technologies in Central Anatolia
for Turkey with the help of Metonorm
meteorological data from 1996 to 2005 was
Figure 1. Turkey’s electricity distribution according
to sources
Economic developments in the world has positively
affected Turkey, Accordingly, in 2006, with
additional 176.2 billion kWh of electricity
consumption increased by 7.8% and reached 191.6
billion kWh in 2007. Electrical consumption reached
to 198.1 TWH in 2008 and decreased to 193.3 TWh
because of economical crisis. Turkey's electric
energy consumption in the last five years has
increased 43% this increase is one of the highest
growth, among the word. The average demand
growth has been between 7-8% [1].
In Table 1 electricity generation is shown according
to the sources. Turkey’s 48.17% of electric energy
need meets by natural gas plants. Dependence on
foreign energy is increasing more and more.

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Table 1. Turkey’s electricity generation according to countries in the world agree to similar goals, the EU
sources (GWh) has pledged to increase its GHG emissions reduction
Source GWh % target to 30%. According to an overview by the
Natural gas 95530.74 48.17 European Renewable Energy Council (EREC), that
looks at European manufacturers, most green power
Local coal 44917.07 22.65
in 2020 is expected to come from wind energy
Hydraulic 33264.46 16.77 (almost 40% of all renewable power supplied);
Imported coal 12551.47 6.33 followed by biomass (23%); hydropower (30%); and
Fuel - oil 9772.30 4.93 with some smaller contributions from PV (4%);
geothermal; solar thermal electricity and ocean
Wind 797.30 0.40
energy (each around 1%) [5].
Geothermal 161.67 0.08
Others 1334.47 0.67
Total 198329.48 100

In Turkey still huge amount of renewable energy

sources are not in use. One of these renewable energy
sources is solar energy. Economic life of the solar
system is estimated at 25 years. In recent years, with
the help of government incentives, the use of solar
energy in the world has shown a big increase. With
the solar module manufacturing technologies
development, CdTe thin film modules costs were $ 2
/ Wp in 2007, expect to fall in $ 0.8 / Wp. The
crystalline module costs were $ 3 / Wp in 2007 and
planned to be $ 2 / Wp in 2010 [2].

3. World Solar Energy

The Photovoltaic world market grew in terms of
production by more than 64% in 2008 to
approximately 6.12 GW [3]. The market for installed
systems about doubled and the current estimates 6,95
GW, as reported by various consultancies (Fig.2).
One could guess that this represents mostly the grid
connected Photovoltaic market. To what extent the
off-grid and consumer product markets are included
is unclear. The difference of roughly 1.3 to 1.75 GW
could therefore be explained as a combination of
unaccounted off-grid installations (approx. 100 MW
off-grid rural, approx. 100 MW
communication/signals, approx. 80 MW off-grid
commercial), consumer products (ca. 100 MW) and
cells/ modules in stock. The impressive growth in
2008 is mainly due to the exceptional development in
the Spanish market, which almost increased five-fold
from 560 MW in 2007 to 2.5 – 2.7 GW in 2008. The
second largest and most stable market was Germany
with 1.5 GW followed by the US (342 MW), South
Korea (282 MW), Italy (258 MW) and Japan (230
MW) in 2008 Total cumulative PV installation
reached to 22,87GW in 2009 [4].
On the 10 January 2007, the European Commission
(EC) launched its plans for the European Union (EU)
to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions (GHG) in 2020 (compared to 1990), by
using a 20% share of renewable in energy supply,
and 20% energy savings. On top of that, if other rich
Figure 2. PV power installed in the world
4. Supporting Models
Financial incentives are usually collected in two main
categories [6].
1. Investment incentives: This type of incentive,
governments contribute, in a proportion of the total
amount of investment between 20% - 40%. For
example Greece.
2. Government-supported loans: Governments or
international organizations give more attractive
credits than normal trade credits. Deutsche
Ausgleichsbank and Commerzbank in Germany
loans are examples of this situation.
Tax incentives can be grouped into two main
categories [6].
1. Tax exemptions: 1-5 years in some governments
from central income tax revenue received from the
institutions or not. Netherlands, for example
2. Customs Exemptions: Governments apply low
rates tax or tax exemption for import and export of
equipment such as wind turbines, solar panels for
example Denmark.
Production incentives under three main headings [6].
1. Renewable Portfolio Standard: In this type of
incentive, electricity distribution companies are
obliged to provide distributed electricity, a certain

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percentage of renewable energy sources at a Table 3 Turkey's average monthly solar energy
particular time period potential by region
2. Subsidies to electricity produced: Another type of Region Total solar Ins. time
incentive to renewable energy resources is incentive energy monthly (hour/year)
given to the unit price of electricity produced. (kWh/m2-year)
3. Fixed tariff application: For a particular time, a
Southeast 1460 2993
certain tariff is applied to the produced electricity.
For example, fixed price tariff is applied to two Anatolia
Mediterranean 1390 2956
different periods like the first ten and the second ten Eastern Anatolia 1365 2664
years. Because of repayment solar power plant’s Central Anatolia 1314 2628
credit debt and interest, the first 10 years higher tariff
Aegean 1304 2738
rates paid than the second ten years. This is a widely
used incentive type. Marmara 1168 2409
Blacksea 1120 1971

5. Turkey’s Solar Energy Potential However, it was understood by later studies, these
According to studies have done by EIE, Turkey's values are less than the true potential of Turkey, EIE
average annual total sunshine hours 2640 hours (total and DMI for more accurate result measured the data
daily 7.2 hours), average total radiation intensity since 1992 till date. It is expected that the real solar
1311 kWh / m²-year (daily total of 3.6 kWh / m²) has energy potential of Turkey will be more than 20-25%
been identified with the help of Government of the existing values.
Meteorology Affairs General Directorate (DMI)’s
measured sunshine duration and radiation intensity
between 1966-1982 years. Dispersion of solar energy 6. Renewable Energy Target and
potential by months in Turkey is given Table 2 [2, 7]. Renewable Energy Act in Turkey
With article no 4628, Electricity Market Law of 2001
Table 2 Turkey’s solar energy potential forced to reform electric production industry based
Months Total solar energy Ins. time on competition and important steps have been taken
2
- (kWh/m2-
(months)
(Kcal/cm to re-structured government utilities. Market rules
month) month) (Hour/month) update to ensure deregulation of eclectic utilities.
Jan 4,45 51,75 103
25% electricity productions in 2020 have been
Feb 5,44 63,27 115 targeted to supply by renewable energy sources, the
Mar 8,31 96,65 165 estimated share for hydro power plants until 2023
Apr 10,51 122,23 197 will reach 30.000MW in this context, wind power
May 13,23 153,86 273 installed capacity in 2013 11.000MW, 15.000MW in
2015, and at least 20,000 MW by the year 2020 have
Jun 14,51 168,75 325
been targeted. 600 MW geothermal potential
Jul 15,08 175,38 365 determined to be suitable for the production of
Aug 13,62 158,4 343 electrical energy is expected to be commissioned by
Sep 10,6 123,28 280 2020 with whole capacity [8].
Oct 7,73 89,9 214
Promoting the use of solar energy for electricity
Nov 5,23 60,82 157 generation in the country is important to evaluate the
Dec 4,03 46,87 103 potential. The utilization of solar energy in electricity
Total 112,74 1311 2640 production would be applied by closely following the
Mean 308,0 3,6 7,2 hours/day technology developments. To encourage producing
electrical energy from solar energy Article No. 5346
cal/cm2- kWh/m2- was adopted [9]. With this regulation draft different
According to Table,
day Turkey's day most and least solar rates would be applied for different renewable
energy production mounts are June and December. sources. Power plants, production capacity smaller
Mediterranean and Southeast Anatolia Region comes than 500 kW, will produce electricity without
first. Solar energy potential and sunshine duration of manufacturers license moreover they would have
regions are given in the Table 3 [7]. right to sell surplus energy to utility with different
price tariff determined by the government [9].
Licensed power plants in our country are based on
renewable sources if uses any mechanical and / or
electro-mechanical parts produced in Turkey in their
facilities, higher tariff will be paid for five years for
local contribution [9].Law being applied to power

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plants commissioned before 31.12.2015 before.
Council of Ministers has right to change price tariffs,
the first change will be made 31.12.2011.
7. A proposed 2,5MW PV power plant in
Central Anatolia
In this study a proposed grid connected 2,5MW solar
photovoltaic power plant, located Konya, 37, 8°
north, 32, 5° east, the coordinates in Central Anatolia
region. Production values were calculated by using
PVsyst software, developed by the University of
Geneva in Switzerland, with solar data obtained
during 10 years for this region. PV power plant, with
poly crystalline and thin-film module technologies,
were analyzed separately
Accurate calculations are crucial for the development
of PV industry. Performance calculations are
important for systems integrators and end customers.
They are vital tools for evaluating products and
product quality to guide future decision-making and
bankable credits. Three of the IEC standard 61724
performance parameters may be used to define the
Normalized system production (Yf), Reference
incident energy in collection plane (Yr), Performance
ratio (PR) [10].
These are;
Normalized system production (Yf):
It represents the number of hours that the PV array
would need to operate at its rated power to provide
the same energy. The units are hours or kWh/kW, M;
year produced a net energy (kWh), Po is installed PV
system is the power (kW) [10].
E of one row of modules to the beginning of the other,
Yf  (kWh/kW (1))
Po
Reference incident energy in collection plane (Yr):
It represents an equivalent number of hours at the
reference irradiance. If G equals 1 kW/m2, then Yr is
the number of peak sun-hours or the solar radiation in
units of kWh/m2. The Yr defines the solar radiation
resource for the PV system. It is a function of the
location, orientation of the PV array, and month-to-
month and year-to-year weather variability. Variation
of the Yr according to the months are shown in
Figure 3.
H 4 and monthly performance ratio are shown in Figure
Yr  (h) (2)
G
ID159/ ©IREC2010
Figure 3. Reference incident energy in collection
plane (Yr)
Performance ratio (PR):
The performance ratio (PR) is stated as percent and
describes the relationship between the actual and
theoretical energy outputs of the PV plant. It thus
shows the proportion of the energy that is actually
available for export to the grid after deduction of
energy loss (e.g. due to thermal losses and
conduction losses) and of energy consumption for
operation. It is the ratio of the final PV system yield
and the reference yield [10].
Yf
PR  (3)
Yr
7.1. 2.5MW Central Inverter Poly Crystalline PV
Power Plant
In proposed PV power plant, with poly crystalline
photovoltaic modules and central inverter, modules
adjusted with 6 meters distance from the beginning
20 degree module tilt angle is chosen
(1) as it is the
optimum tilt angle for energy production. Total area
is 54782m2. Totally 10868, 230W polycrystalline
modules and 5 numbers Sunny Central 500HE
inverter are used. 4 inverters have 99 strings total at
its inputs, one has 98. Each string includes 22 series
connected modules. When doing the design, main
box, string combiner boxes and inverter input
maximum allowed current and voltage values have
been taken into consideration. Annual electricity
production of proposed power plant is 3934MWh
with %77,3 performance ratio. Daily normalized
productions for per installed kWp are given in Figure
5.
(2)
The yearly mean reference incident energy in
collection plane (Yr), mean effective global
(Globeff), corrected for incidence angel modifier,
shading, mean normalized array losses (Lc), mean
normalized system losses (Ls), and mean normalized
system production (Yf) are 2028.83 kWh/m2.day,
1932 kWh/m2, 1.080 kWh/kWp/day, 0.184
97
kWh/kWp/day and 4.29 kWh/kWp/day, respectively.
Loss diagram over the whole year of poly crystalline
modules are given in Figure 6.
Figure 4. PV power plant normalized productions for
poly crystalline
Figure 5. PV power plant performance ratio for poly
crystalline
Figure 6 PV power plant loss diagram for poly
crystalline
ID159/ ©IREC2010
7.2. 2.5MW Central Inverter Thin Film Modules
PV Power Plant
In proposed power plant, with poly crystalline
photovoltaic modules and central inverter, modules
adjusted with 6 meters distance from the beginning
of one row of modules to the beginning of the other,
20 degree module tilt angle is chosen as it is the
optimum tilt angle for energy production. Total area
is 67.885m2. Totally 32220, 78W CdTe, thin film
modules and 5 numbers Sunny Central 500HE
inverters are used. Each inverter has 716 strings total
at its inputs. Each string includes 9 series connected
modules. When doing the design, main box, string
combiner boxes and inverter input maximum allowed
current and voltage values have been taken into
consideration.
Annual electricity production of proposed power
plant is 4188MWh with %82,7 performance ratio.
Daily normalized productions for per installed kWp
are given in Figure 7 and monthly performance ratio
are shown in Figure 8.
Figure 7. PV power plant normalized productions
for thin film
Figure 8. PV power plant performance ratio for thin
film
98
The yearly mean reference incident energy in
collection plane (Yr), mean normalized array losses
(Lc), mean effective global (Globeff), corrected for
incidence angel modifier, shading, mean normalized
system losses (Ls), and mean normalized system
production (Yf) are 2028.83 kWh/m2.day, 1930
kWh/m2, 0.829, 0.134 and 4.60 kWh/kWp/day,
respectively. Loss diagram over the whole year of
poly crystalline modules are given in Figure 9.
Although thin-film modules, kWp/kWh of energy
production rates, higher than that of crystalline
modules, proven crystalline PV module technology,
successful in solar power plants for years, makes it
preferred for investor and end users.
9. References
[1] <http://www.teias.gov.tr/projeksiyon/
kapasiteprojeksiyonu2009.pdf >, download dated
11.09.2009

[2] <http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/pv-
analysts-cautious-optimism-for-2010 >, download
dated 15.02.2010

[3] <http://www.solarbuzz.com/marketbuzz2010-
intro.htm>, download dated 17.04.2010

[4] <http://www.pvresources.com/download/Annual
Review_FreeEdition.pdf>download dated 11.08.2009

[5]<http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/.../eu-
database-on-renewable-energy-legislation-
complete//>, download dated 18.02.2010

Figure 9. PV power plant loss diagram for thin film
8. Conclusions
The potential of Turkey in the photovoltaic market is
very strong, since the country lies in a high solar
radiation belt and has available large lands for solar
farms. The electricity consumption in Turkey
increased on average 7-8% annually so Turkey is
going through a change of policy in the energy
sector. On the other hand, Turkey needs adaptations
in the energy field especially renewable energy
systems for meeting the European standards. In the
up coming years a huge boom is expected in solar
power plant installations.
[6]<www.epia.org/fileadmin/EPIA.../An_Argument_
for_Feed-in_Tariffs.pdf>,
download dated 05.05.2010
[7] < http://www.eie.gov.tr >, download dated
07.12.2009
[8] Taşpınar A, 1997: 2009. Türkiye’de Yenilenebilir
Enerji Enerji İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü November
2009, Ankara
[9]<http://www.epdk.gov.tr/mevzuat/diger/yenilenebi
lir/yenilenebilir.doc>, download dated 11.09.2009
[10]<www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/37358.pdf>,
download dated 11.01.2010

When compared to the proposed power plants

production rates of central inverter thin-film PV
modules and central inverter crystal modules, thin
film kWp / kWh rate 4% - 7% higher calculated,
because of thin film’s temperature coefficient is
lower than crystalline modules. According to
calculations results, yearly production capacity is
found 3934110 kWh with 17.96% capacity factor for
poly crystalline modules, and 4188278 kWh with
19.12% capacity factor for thin film modules PV
power plant.

ID159/ ©IREC2010 99