Experimental and numerical analysis of solar potential and feed in tariff in Turkey

Turkey has high solar energy potential due to its geographical location compared to many other countries. In this paper Turkey's solar energy potential are analyzed and numerical calculation are conducted and obtained results are compared with experimental data to validate simulation accuracy. Average daily electricity production from PV system, average daily sum of global irradiation per square meter received by the modules are calculated and compared with experimental data collected between 1985 and 2006 by General Directorate of Turkish Meteorological Service. PVGIS program is used for numerical calculation and solar potential are calculated and compared for each region of Turkey. Also feed in tariff system are analyzed in terms of financial perspective, and discussed the related key issues and challenges for the feature. Turkey's average annual sunshine duration are measured 2640 hours (a total of 7.2 hours per day), and the average total solar radiation is calculated 1311 kWh/m
²
-year (daily total of 3.6 kWh/m
²
). Southeastern Anatolia Region has maximum solar energy potential, followed by the Mediterranean Coast. After government new support scheme integrated into market by 2011, installation reached 442.13 MW.