A photovoltaic solar panel was developed with 16.5 percent efficiency by TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MRC) Materials Institute (ME) for the first time in Turkey.
As a result of 6 months studies, photovoltaic solar panels were produced which converts 16.5 percent of the light on the surface to electrical energy by TUBITAK MRC ME.
In the statement of Associate Professor Alp Osman Kodobas to the AA reporter, there are two methods for the use of solar energy; one of these is thermal method which can be obtained from hot water and the other one is photovoltaic methods.
Kodolbas explained that as a recent entering technology in Turkey, photovoltaic energy could be directly produced by solar energy although it has been used in the watches and calculators for years but not yet entered into the primary energy consumption area of our people. He also mentioned that although we are one of the highest three countries that make solar thermal installations which is an interesting point; we are extremely falling behind for the development of photovoltaic technologies.
Kodaolbaş pointed that there is a significant potential for electricity generation from sunlight in the photovoltaic panels sector of Turkey and continued with the recent progresses they made within the 6 months’ time by developing a photovoltaic solar panel with 16.5 percent efficiency.
- Costs could be easily covered in 3 to 4 years.
Kodolbaş stated that the project-related work is still going on and continued:
"We have developed a panel with a 16.5 efficiency and a lifespan of 25 years. This is an extremely high percentage for Turkey. An average enlighten city can produce 1.2-1.5 kWh of energy with a panel in one day. The costs can be covered approximately in 6 years at the northeast provinces and 3 to 4 years at the southeast. We are trying to improve efficiency to the 20 percent. At the moment, we are working on these studies. One of the important issues is the integration of panels in the building. If you use high-efficiency panels, more energy can be obtained compared to the panels in a small numbers integrated to the walls or even mounted on the roofs."
He finalized his words by saying that one of the motivations they have is to produce these panels 100% domestic and he added that it will not only support the Turkish panel producers, this will also contribute to the development of local suppliers in this area.