Türkiye’s solar capacity grew from 9.7 GW in July 2022 to over 19 GW by the end of 2024, surpassing its 2025 target ahead of schedule
Rooftop PV could play a crucial role in Türkiye’s energy transition, but grid limitations and policy uncertainties need to be addressed
Clearer regulations, incentives for small-scale solar, and grid expansion are necessary to sustain momentum
According to the latest report from energy think tank Ember Energy (previously Sandbag), Türkiye’s solar energy capacity has more than doubled from 9.7 GW in July 2022 to over 19 GW by the end of 2024. With this achievement, Türkiye has already exceeded its 2025 solar target 2 years ahead of schedule.
Solar power’s share in the country’s electricity generation has steadily increased, driven by falling costs, strong policy support, and growing investor interest. The report says that the government’s push for renewable energy self-sufficiency has played a key role in the sector’s rapid development.
Türkiye’s progress follows a global trend of solar expansion, with increasing adoption of net metering and self-consumption policies encouraging more residential and commercial installations.
Despite this impressive growth, Türkiye’s rooftop solar potential remains largely underutilized. According to the report, rooftop PV alone could add 120 GW of capacity, more than 6 times the country’s current solar installations.
Expanding distributed solar would enhance energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and lower electricity costs for businesses and households. However, grid bottlenecks, unclear regulations, and limited financing options continue to slow deployment. Ember opines addressing these barriers could significantly boost Türkiye’s solar sector.
While utility-scale solar has driven recent growth, distributed solar – including rooftop PV – still faces policy and grid challenges. Experts emphasize the need for stronger incentives for small-scale solar, streamlined permitting processes, and upgraded grid infrastructure to fully leverage the country’s solar potential.
With continued policy support and investment, Türkiye could become a regional leader in solar energy, accelerating its clean energy transition while ensuring long-term affordability and energy independence.
Ember’s recently released European Electricity Review Report for 2024 shows that solar power has surpassed coal for the first time in the European Union (see Solar Soars Above Coal For The 1st Time: European Electricity Review Report).