Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Solar Country Notes

Turkey
Based on meteorological measurements made during 1966-1982, Turkey's average annual number of hours of sunshine is put at 2 640 and its average annual insolation at 1 311 kWh/m². More recent research has, however, indicated that these levels could be considerably understated.

The republic's utilisation of its significant solar radiation resource is largely in the form of solar thermal collectors. The market was initiated during the 1970s in response to the growth of the tourism industry and the need for plentiful hot water. The country's energy supply difficulties and the political and economic uncertainties of the 1980s provided further impetus to market development. Although deployment has been extensive - it is estimated that well over 8 million m² of flat plate collectors have been installed - the sector has not demonstrated a high degree of advanced technology. Turkish customers have historically preferred simple, inexpensive installations, albeit that this approach has sometimes led to problems of utilisation and maintenance.

It is expected that the solar thermal market will continue to grow, largely through the installation of more roof-top collectors, but also possibly through larger-scale projects, such as winter-season greenhouse heating in the agricultural areas of southern Turkey.

Use of solar PV devices in Turkey has been very largely confined to official installations in remote areas: e.g. telecommunications, forest-fire observation towers and roadside emergency facilities.