Textile Companies Using SPPs Both Reduced CO2 Emissions and Realized Nearly 50% Energy Savings
News: Özge Çağıl Sütcü
The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology included the installation of SPP (Solar Power Plant) within the scope of incentives. In this context, 142 companies that installed SPP in Bursa were incentived worth 1 billion, 700 million liras. The majority of the companies benefiting from this incentive are textile companies. As Tekstil Teknoloji magazine, we have focused on the SPP issue.
The increase in the population growth rate in the world, the increase in energy need as a result of industrialization, the limitation of energy resources, the limitation of fossil fuels and the emissions that occur during the burning of these fuels cause great damage to the world. These days, due to rising energy costs and increasing demands for environmentally friendly production, it imperative to use renewable energy sources. SPP are very popular today due to the fact that solar energy is a clean, environmentally friendly and renewable energy source, the low installation and operating costs of solar power plants, and the high return on investment. Many sectors, from textiles to automotive, from agriculture to food, meet their energy with their own SPP. One of the leading sectors focusing on the installation of SPP is the textile sector, where water and energy consumption is quite high.
While manufacturers interest in SPP is increasing day by day , the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Industry and Technology also offers important support to companies in this regard. In the first 6 months of 2023, 1 billion 700 million TL incentivized to SPP projects in Bursa. The majority of the 142 companies that benefited from this incentive were textile companies. As Tekstil Teknoloji magazine, we have focued the SPP issue, which has become important today. In our issue, where you can find all the information you are curious about, from SPP installation processes to benefits, disadvantages and costs, you can also read interviews with the managers of companies that install SPP…
Projects about SPP, Started in the 1800s
Solar energy is a renewable energy source with features such as ease of installation and use, as well as not polluting the environment and not creating harmful waste. Solar power plants are also called photovoltaic power stations, solar parks or solar farms. A solar farm is a large-volume power station that converts the rays from the sun into electrical energy by trapping them in photovoltaic silicon cells, and in this respect, it is actually an electricity generation plant.
Work on harnessing solar energy began in the 1800s but gained momentum after the 1970s. The first appearance of solar panels dates back to the late 19th century. Photovoltaic energy was first discovered by French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel. In 1839, Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, the working principle of the solar cell, and enabled the water used in the machines of that period to be heated and turned into water vapor. In the following years, however, Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect that would allow sunlight to be converted into electrical energy. In 1893, Charles Fritts for the first time covered selenium plates with a thin layer of gold. Thus, the first solar panel was made by Charles Fritts. Thus began the emergence of today’s solar panels, and Russel Ohl, an American inventor who worked at Bell Laboratories in the later stages, invented and patented the world’s first silicon-derived solar cell in 1941. Ohl then mass-produced a new solar panel with his company in 1954 using silicon.
How to Install a Solar Power Plant?
The steps should be followed to install a SPP:
- Land selection: A suitable land for the solar power plant should be selected. The land should be one that receives a sufficient amount of light from the sun and is close to the substation.
- EIA report: An EIA (environmental impact assessment report) report should be prepared for the studies to be carried out in the field.
- Projecting: A suitable solar power plant project should be prepared for the land. The project should cover the way the solar panels are installed, the choice of inverters and other equipment, and the connection to the electrical grid.
- Construction: According to the project, a solar power plant is built. During the construction phase, the installation of solar panels, the installation of inverters and other equipment, and the connection to the electrical network are carried out.
- Test and commissioning: The solar power plant is tested and commissioned by connecting to the electrical network.
Suitable Land Selection for SPP Field
It is important that there are places facing the south façade that get plenty of sun. The land should be in the south and receive plenty of sunlight. With the meteorological research, the average solar intake time of the region can be calculated. The average number of days with sun, rain, cloud, etc. in the last few years of the region where the SPP will be installed needs to be reviewed. The soil structure plays a decisive role in the installation of the panels. Thus, in the solar power plant to be installed on a rocky land, the constructions must be concrete footing.
How Long is the Installation Time of the SPP?
It varies according to the size of the land to be installed and the scope of the project. On average, the installation time of the solar power plant is 3-6 months.
SPP Installation Cost?
- The cost of land varies according to the size and location of the land where the power plant will be installed
- The cost of solar panels varies according to the wattage and efficiency of the panels
- The cost of inverters varies according to the power and characteristics of the inverter
- The cost of other equipment required for the solar power plant varies according to the characteristics of the equipment
Usage Areas of Solar Energy…
Although the usage areas of solar panels are very wide; It is preferred in many areas from remote power systems for cabins, telecommunication devices, remote sensing, production of electricity used in residences, production of electricity used in commercial enterprises and / or factories with solar energy systems.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages of solar power plants make them an important option for a sustainable future. Among the advantages of SPP’s are the following items:
- It is a clean and environmentally friendly energy source, and solar power plants are a cleaner and greener energy source compared to energy obtained from fossil fuels. Electrical energy obtained from solar power plants does not emit greenhouse gases.
- It is an inexhaustible source of energy. The Sun is one of the most important energy sources of the Earth. Solar energy is a source of energy that the Earth can benefit from forever.
- Installation and operating costs are low. The installation and operating costs of solar power plants are lower compared to other power plants.
- The return on investment is high.
- Jobs create jobs. The installation and operation of solar power plants creates new job opportunities.
Although solar power plants provide many convenience to nature and the environment, there are some disavantages:
- Sunlight is less intense at certain times of the day and in seasons. For this reason, solar power plants are used in combination with other energy sources for uninterrupted electricity generation.
- A suitable land is required for the installation of solar power plants. Solar power plants should be installed on a land that receives a sufficient amount of light from the sun.
However, these disadvantages are relatively reduced with today’s technological developments. For example, solar panels are being developed that are less affected by adverse weather conditions such as clouding and shading. In addition, there are more suitable lands for the installation of solar power plants.
SPP in Turkey
Turkey is a country with a significant solar energy potential due to its geographical location. According to the Turkish Solar Energy Potential Atlas (GEPA) of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the average annual total sunshine time was 2,737 hours (total 7.5 hours per day), and the total annual incoming solar energy was 1,527 kWh/m².year (total daily total 4.2 kWh/m²).
Investment Incentive for SPP Projects from the Ministry of Industry…
The studies carried out by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in order to evaluate the large and renewable energy source in Turkey have gained momentum recently. In the first half of the year, solar energy investments in Bursa started to increase with the investment incentives in SPP projects. In this period, when the clean energy transformation should accelerate and spread away from fossil fuels that cause the climate crisis, an investment incentive of 1 billion 700 million liras was given to the SPP projects in Bursa. 142 companies, which received incentives for the installation of SPP, started to meet 105 Mw of energy from the sun.
Europe’s largest SPP in Turkey…
Europe’s largest solar power plant is Karapınar YEKA-1 SPP in Konya. This power plant has an installed capacity of 1,000 MW and meets the electricity needs of 2 million people.
Opinions from Companies…
Polteks/Ali Karen
“We have saved 26 tons of coal for 64 MWh produced in the last 1 month”
As a sustainable workplace, we continue to have innovative technologies that reverse the elements that harm the ecosystem. We support the use of clean and efficient resources for ecological balance in every aspect and we are doing many new studies for this and we will continue to do so. We apply the economic, environmental and social components, which are the dimensions of sustainability, in all areas with a holistic approach.
“A large part of electrical energy production harms the environment“
The main reasons why we have established a SPP are that the energy costs have increased a lot, directly increasing the costs and all of the electrical energy productions used with it have caused a harm to the environment, and we, as industrialists, actually support the idea that systems like SPP are social responsibility.
Although it is about 70% in the summer, we estimate that this will be about 20, 25% savings in the winter months. In the last 1 month, we have achieved a saving of 26 tons of coal for 64 MWh, the amount of 30 tons of CO2 prevented and a positive environmental impact equivalent to 43 trees planted. These are the technically calculated data that we have obtained through the SPP control system.
“Incentives need to be increased”
We want to increase the incentives and supports and to expand the scopes. However, we also find it useful to simplify the procedures and speed up the approval process.
Sun Tekstil/ Tarık Sarvan
“We made an agreement for the installation of SPP with a capacity of 7,500 kWe.”
A partnership was established between Sunteks Dokuma and our company for the installation of SPP. The company signed a contract for the installation of a SPP with a capacity of 7 thousand 500 kWe on a land in Ağrı for a total of 7 million 436 thousand dollars excluding VAT.
“We will offer Turkey the solutions it needs”
We will continue to produce projects all over Turkey and offer the solutions needed by the sector. Our industrialists are also converting the energy coming from the sun into a great efficiency element for their factories. We are proud to have contributed to this.
“Renewable energy investments are of great importance”
We continue to improve ourselves continuously within the framework of sustainable growth. By closely following the latest technology, we develop innovative products according to the needs of the sector as a result of the work we have developed in our R & D center. Renewable energy investments are of great importance for our country to gain independence in the field of energy.
Arta Tekstil/Arif Nalbant
“SPP is an important part of our sustainability investments”
Our facility is located on an area of 110 thousand m2 in Yerköy district of Yozgat. Our works started in February 2023. Our first panels were placed in April. The process continues unabated. All transactions were completed in August 2023. We produce over 16 million kWh of clean energy per year. We strive to minimize our environmental impact. An important part of our sustainability investments is SPP. Through the SPP, we meet all the electricity needs of our factory with zero carbon emissions and sustainable methods. In the following period, we will of course have new works that will increase our production capacities and support our sustainability organization.
