Türkiye has published a regulatory framework that includes the legal basis for the development of floating solar power plants on reservoirs and dams. The rules determine where floating solar can and cannot be built and how projects can be approved.
Türkiye’s rules on the use of water surfaces for floating solar installations have been published in the country’s official gazette.
This move follows the Turkish government’s amendment last year to coastal laws governing the construction of renewable energy sites in seas, dam lakes, artificial lakes and natural lakes, giving the nation first floating solar tenderfor a 35 MW project on the site of an existing hydroelectric power station last month.
The regulatory frameworknow in effect, governs the design, installation, operation and supervision of floating solar energy on reservoirs and canals.
It stipulates that the coverage of floating solar energy shall not exceed 10% of a reservoir at normal water level or 30% at minimum water level and prohibits floating solar energy in legally restricted water bodies, protected areas, flood reservoirs and reservoirs with an area of less than 0.5 km2.
In reservoirs, floating solar panels may not exceed 10 hectares each, placed at least 25 meters horizontally from the limit of the minimum water level and at a distance of at least 30 meters from each other. They must also be able to withstand wind, waves, snow and water level fluctuations. Anchors, cables and placement of panels must not hinder the operation of the dam.
In canals, floating solar panels must be built on an above-ground structure that does not touch the water. An array must be a maximum of 250 m in length, with a gap of 25 m between installations, and must not affect canal maintenance or water flow.
Future floating solar projects will require approval from both the state agency Devlet Su İşleri (DSI) and the National Energy Regulator of Türkiye prior to construction, as well as verification by DSI prior to final acceptance.
For projects approved or contracted before this regulation, developers are expected to submit an updated feasibility report within three months.
Turkey added 3.1 GW of solar power in the first half of this year, pushing its cumulative solar capacity past 23 GW. As of September, combined solar and wind capacity exceeded 37 GW, equivalent to almost 31% of the country’s installed energy capacity. Turkey aims to reach a capacity of 120 GW of solar and wind energy by 2035.
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