TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Materials Institute has developed a photovoltaic solar panel that provides 16.5 percent efficiency for the first time in Turkey.
Within the scope of the project carried out at the TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute, a photovoltaic solar panel that converts 16.5% of the light coming to the surface into electrical energy was produced as a result of approximately 6 months of work.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alp Osman Kodolbaş, who serves as the chief specialist at the institute, said in a statement to AA correspondent that there are two different methods of utilizing solar energy, one of which is thermal methods of hot water and the other is photovoltaic methods.
Stating that electricity can be produced directly from solar energy with photovoltaic technology, which is just starting to enter Turkey, Kodolbaş said, "We have been using photovoltaic technology in watches and calculators for a long time, but it has not yet entered the main energy consumption area of our people. In fact, this is a very different point because we are one of the three countries with the highest number of solar thermal installations, but we are behind in photovoltaics."
Pointing out that the photovoltaic panel sector will experience a significant development in the future in Turkey, which has a significant potential in terms of electricity generation from sunlight, Kodolbaş said that they developed a 16.5 percent efficient photovoltaic solar panel in a 6-month period at the TÜBİTAK MAM Materials Institute.
- "The cost can be recovered in 3-4 years"
Kodolbaş stated that their work on the project continues and noted the following:
"The panel we developed provides 16.5 percent efficiency and has a lifespan of 25 years. This is a very high rate for Turkey. A panel can produce 1.2-1.5 kilowatt-hours of energy in a day in an average illuminated city. The cost can be covered in approximately 6 years in the northeasternmost provinces and 3-4 years in the southeast. We are trying to increase the panel to 20 percent efficiency. We are currently working on this. One of the most important issues in panels is building integration. If you use high efficiency panels, it is possible to obtain more energy from a smaller number of panels mounted on the wall or roof."
Noting that one of their goals is to produce the panel they have developed 100 percent domestically, Kodolbaş added that this will not only benefit panel manufacturers in Turkey, but also the development of the domestic sub-industry.
