Potential and utilization of solar energy policies in Turkey

Abstract

Energy is an indispensable element for the survival and development of modern society. From the use of heat in industries to the heating of a house, from feeding a freighter to fueling a motorcycle, from automating an entire production process to lighting an office lamp, energy use is an essential part of our everyday life across different scales and forms of utilizing it. With the development of new technologies, coupled with the exorbitant growth of the world population and the emergence of new needs, one of the great challenges we currently face is the uncertainty of energy availability in the future given its current demand, primarily due to the extensive use of nonrenewable sources and the large-scale exploitation of the planet’s natural resources. Turkey’s carbon dioxide emissions have grown along with its energy consumption. States have played a leading role in protecting the environment by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of the most efficient and effective solutions for sustainable energy development in Turkey. Turkey’s geographical location has several advantages for extensive use of most of these renewable energy sources. This study shows that there is enough renewable energy potential in Turkey for heat and electricity generation. Especially hydropower, biomass, solar and wind are very well.