Turkey

The Turkish government has published long-awaited rules for energy storage in its official journal. Local solar association Günder said the first projects will be approved in the middle of 2023.

Smart Solar Technology has secured Turkish government support to build a vertically integrated solar module factory in Izmir, Turkey.

Asunim is set to build 42 MW of solar at two sites, paired with existing wind farms in Turkey. The Turkish developer claims that the two projects will achieve a significantly lower levelized cost of energy.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will contribute up to $100 million to support 150 MW of solar capacity, plus 53 MW of wind.

SolarApex has built what it calls the world’s largest rooftop PV array. A 140 MW project on a steelmill will help Turkish steelmaker Tosyali to shift its production to carbon-free “green steel.” Chief Marketing Officer Besime Özderici says the project could be an example for other energy-intensive industries.

Turkey’s new provisions state that self-consumption projects and solar irrigation installations can be built without the need for construction permits.

The average global price of solar kilowatt-hours fell 13% on 2020’s prices, as around two-thirds of the renewables capacity installed last year was cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternative.

The Turkish authorities will provide winning projects in the nation’s latest solar tender with 15-year power purchase guarantees. Domestic content requirements for equipment have played an important role in the procurement exercise.

Turkish developer Citus Power built the solar array with Sungrow inverters and Trina modules. It is able to operate in both on- and off-grid mode.

The Turkish Ministry of Energy has completed, thus far, only the tender’s first 300 MW tranche, and the three winning bids ranged from $0.0257/kWh to $0.0293/kWh