Turkey saw its first utility-scale photovoltaic facility in the technology of copper, indium and selenide (CIS) commissioned in August, industry sources reported. The Ege Sarıoğlan GES system in Kayseri province in the central part of the country was mounted with thin film–based panels in three months.
The project was spearheaded by Istanbul-based Smart Energy Group, which operates in four more Southeast European countries. Financing for the 1 MW facility was provided by Yapı ve Kredi Bankası, while Smart Solar from Bulgaria was responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction services. The system was commissioned by Tedaş – Turkish Electricity Distribution Company, and Kcetaş – Vicinity Electricity Turkish Inc.
The panels were supplied by Japanese company Solar Frontier KK. The plant on two hectares features 6,768 modules and two 500 kW central inverters. Smart Energy Group will provide operating and maintenance. CIS modules were selected for their good performance in high temperatures, and expected generation at the ground-mounted system is 1.9 GWh per year.
