Solar Energy in Turkey
Solar energy in turkey – the history, the future and the new technology opportunities
To assist readers with specific interests, this article is broken down into the following main headings:-
- What is Solar Energy?
- Why use Solar Technologies
- The ways in which we use Solar Energy
- Types of Solar Panel
- History and development of Solar Energy usage in Turkey
- Great news for Bodrum home owners
1. What is solar energy?
Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation. With today’s technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy – such as heating or electricity. We've used the Sun for drying clothes and food for thousands of years, but only recently have we been able to use it for generating power – and the sun, despite being 150 million kilometres away, is amazingly powerful – in fact, every minute, enough energy arrives at the Earth to meet our demands for a whole year - if only we could harness it properly
2. Why use solar technologies?
Solar energy technologies offer a clean, renewable and domestic energy source, and are essential components of a sustainable energy future. Fluctuating electricity and natural gas prices, climate change and environmental pollution, and reliable access to fuel supplies are often cited as the basis for a growing interest in energy conservation and the use of alternative energy resources, especially renewable energy. Nevertheless, harnessing this energy at a reasonable cost and efficiency has historically proved challenging.
Environmental Issues
Climate change is a serious problem affecting all of us. Our current carbon dioxide emission levels are causing global warming and are unsustainable for the planet. Clean, free and unlimited solar energy is energy generated with no pollution, no emissions, and no waste. Many homeowners choose to use solar energy because of the positive impact they will have on the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy doesn't produce the harmful pollutants responsible for increasing the greenhouse effect which leads to global warming.
Financial Issues
The world is running out of oil and energy costs will only continue to go up. Fixing the cost of your energy needs is a smart investment when compared to the inevitable rise in energy costs. Solar energy systems have never been more affordable and have never made more financial sense. The financial benefits of solar energy can be seen in reduced utility payments as you use solar energy for electricity, heating, cooling and lighting.
Energy Independence
As oil becomes scarcer and electricity more expensive, the repercussions will become more pronounced and have a greater impact on our daily lives. By using solar energy we will reduce our dependence on the utility companies.
3. The ways in which we use solar energy
- Solar water heating
Everybody knows that the sun makes things hot and solar panels are no exception. These basically use water that is circulated through the panel by a pump - the water is heated by solar energy and returned to your hot water tank to supplement the boiler supplied hot water. This means you less usage of gas or electricity to heat your water at home, and, of course, lower fuel bills. Solar water heating is very popular in places like Spain, Australia, Greece and Turkey, which all get lots of sunshine. - Solar Space Heating
Even in the middle of winter, the sun provides incredible energy - enough to heat an individual room, or your entire home, depending on the size of the panel. With today's high costs of heating oil, gas, and electricity, solar heating will rapidly pay for itself, saving both money and energy. - Solar Air Conditioning and Solar Air Conditioning and Heating
Solar powered air conditioners and solar air conditioning and heating systems are available in various sizes - Solar thermal collectors power the systems, using thermal energy from the sun to drive an absorption chiller. The systems can be run as a solar air conditioner or as a solar space heater depending on the season. - Solar furnaces
for further information please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_furnace - Solar updraft towers
for further information please see: http://peswiki.com/index.php/PowerPedia:Solar_Energy#Power_tower_designs - Solar Fibres
for further information please see: http://peswiki.com/index.php/PowerPedia:Solar_Energy#Solar_fibers - Solar Chemical Power
for further information please see: http://peswiki.com/index.php/PowerPedia:Solar_Energy#Solar_chemical - Solar Ponds
for further information please see: http://peswiki.com/index.php/PowerPedia:Solar_Energy#Solar_pond - Holographic Tuning
for further information please see: http://ezinearticles.com/?New-Solar-Technology---Holographic-Tuning&id=152614
4.The two main types of solar panel
- Thermal Solar Panels:
- Active
Active solar water heaters use pumps to circulate water or an antifreeze solution through heat-absorbing solar thermal collectors. - Passive
The simplest systems are passive solar water heaters - they are most common in regions that do not experience extensive periods of below freezing temperatures. The water in these solar collectors circulates without the aid of pumps or controls.
- Active
- PhotoVoltaic (PV) Solar Panels
- Solar electric panels (also known as solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, generate power when exposed to high levels of light. First developed commercially for the space race in the 1950's, and having no moving parts, solar panels are a reliable method of producing power. In recent years there has been a huge increase in demand – e.g. in 2008 worldwide module production increased 80% on the previous year. PV panels are now available in a range of technologies, however the most popular types are still silicon-based monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous panels.
5. History and development of solar energy usage in Turkey
Turkey is geographically well situated with respect to solar energy potential. In the early 1960s, solar energy was recognised as an alternative energy in Turkey, and in the mid-1970s solar thermal utilization technologies began attracting the attention of universities, government and industry, and interest has continued to develop at an increasing speed. Expansion of residential and industrial consumption of solar energy in Turkey started in 1986 and 1988, respectively. Solar energy use accounted for 129 kilo tons of oil equivalent (ktoe) in 2000 and is projected to be 431 ktoe in 2010 and 828 ktoe in 2020.
To date, solar water heating has received the greatest emphasis in Turkey – however, the number of PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel installations has increased significantly in recent years.
Bodrum Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in renewable energy projects using geothermal, wind energy and solar technologies, in line with Turkeys’ overall aims to contribute to the Kyoto Treaty. The Turkish British Chamber of Commerce is hosting Conferences on Wind Power and Solar Energy at the Movenpick Hotel, Istanbul on December 8th/9th 2009.
The focus here however, is on commercial projects and not those geared to address the issues of the ordinary Bodrum home owner.
Despite being an early adopter of most key technological developments, Turkey is currently 10 years behind the rest of the world in utilising Solar Energy for Dehumidification, Space Heating and Ventilation – these are key areas of concern for home owners, especially in tourist areas like the Bodrum Peninsula, where holiday homes are frequently unoccupied for considerable periods of time, and for Turkish home owners who have suffered massive increases in Winter electricity bills.
6. Great news for Bodrum home owners
Summer 1998 saw the launch in the Bodrum Peninsula of a proven technology from the Danish manufacturer SolarVenti (28,000 customers in 24 countries worldwide) to provide a cost effective and “green” solution addressing the 3 issues mentioned above. This technology has been used for the last decade by home owners in the majority of developed countries.
Most people would agree that it is important to protect your home from damp, and keep it fresh and warm. Even the best built homes are subject to the ravages of a damp winter, and every house needs airing, or mould and dry rot may result. An ideal solution is achievable by installing a solar panel which sends free, dry and warm air into your home whenever the sun shines in Winter. Only SolarVenti PV panels can provide the unique patented 3 in 1 solution giving home owners:
- Dehumidification to prevent damp and eliminate musty smells, mould etc...
- Fresh air ventilation providing healthy internal environment
- Supplementary space heating saving money on Winter electricity bills from a single integrated panel.
SolarVenti – the fundamental principals
The principle behind efficient dehumidification, ventilation and supplementary heating from a solar air collector is that the collector blows large volumes of air into the house at a temperature that is optimal in relation to the volume of air.
The heat from the sun is used, by a wall or roof mounted PV panel, to blow warm air into the home at a higher temperature than the indoor temperature of the house. In this way, the house is supplied with automatic and cost-free dehumidification and ventilation whenever the sun shines in the winter months, resulting in noticeable savings on electricity and heating bills* as well as a healthier indoor climate.
(*The cost of domestic electricity in Turkey has risen by over 100% in the last 2 years.)
SolarVenti panels, unlike others, are powered only by the sun, and offer a cost effective way to ventilate your home, and prevent the damage caused by damp to walls, ceilings, furniture, bed linen, clothing etc...
Once installed, they will provide fresh, clean, warm, dry air year in, year out, absolutely free. There are no running costs as they use no electricity and require no maintenance.
Sizes and costs – SolarVenti panels are available in sizes to provide solutions for areas of 25, 40, 70 or 150 sq mtrs in plain aluminium colour or in white, and prices start from only £589 inc tax (from only £30/year over the average 20+ year life).
For more information, please visit www.dampfreehomes.com, and then fill in your contact details and information request at the “Contact Us” page. Alternatively please call Peter, the Bodrum representative for Solarventi agent Dampfreehomes.com, direct in the UK on either of the following numbers:- 020 8654 5573 (landline) or 07973 185114 (mobile).
Dampfreehomes.com have been recommended by our readers - read the reviews and add your recommendation HERE!Bodrum Bulletin Discount available: click HERE for more information