Gediz University launched the largest combined solar and wind power system in Turkey. The hybrid electric generator was built on Seyrek Campus in Izmir.
The 500 kW facility is located in the 3,000 square meter student car park area. It can meet the electricity demand of around 100 houses, Daily Sabah reported. The project costs TRY 2.2 million (EUR 760,000) and it has been co-financed with EUR 340.000 from the Renewable Energy and Environment Technologies Financial Support Program of Izmir Development Agency. The plant consists of 1,600 solar panels and a wind turbine, generating an equivalent of 60% of the university’s electricity demand and saving around $130,000 per year. Chairman of the Board of Trustees Abdullah Kavuk stated one of aims was to highlight the wind and solar energy potential of the city of Izmir and raise awareness of eco-friendly energy among students and societies.
The plant will also be used an application centre to train technical staff for the renewable energy industry and serve as a research and education laboratory by the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.
