Author(s): Adnan PINAR, Adnan DoÄan BULDUR, Tahir TUNCER
While energy needs of societies are increasing, reserves of fossil energy sources are getting decreasing and the sensitivity on its environmental effects are increasing. As an alternative energy source renewable energy sources showed up and among them solar power gained importance as an infinite energy source. Turkey, which doesn’t have much fossil fuel reserve except for low quality lignite, has a high potential due to its geographical location. With the recent investments and new solar power plants, its share in the energy production is getting higher. However, the energy generation of Turkey is much lower than its potential. This study aims to find the number of solar power plants in Turkey through satellite views and geographical information system data base and determine their distribution through physical and human factors. This study determined the distributions of the solar power plants according to factors such as; geographical region, geographical sector, city, district, country/city center, altitude, slope and exposure. And it found significant densifications in certain regions. The results revealed that Turkey couldn’t use its solar power potential which is an important source to meet its energy needs, and that many regions which are suitable for solar power plants haven’t been utilized yet.
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