Evaluation of Energy Potential and Investment Costs of Solar Power Plants: Case of Ankapark Parking Lot

*Ahmet Nazım Akkaya, Harun Varlı and Seyfettin Kurt* 

#### **Abstract**

 Due to the world population growth and industrialization process, energy demand in every sector is increasing day by day. Considering the amounts generated, energy sources are categorized as primary and secondary energy sources. While primary energy sources are classified as fossil sources, hydraulic energy, and nuclear energy, secondary energy sources are solar, geothermal, wind, and fusion energy. In order to meet the energy demand in the world today, most of the energy consumed is obtained from fossil sources. Nonrenewable and fossil-based sources, which have limited reserves, such as coal, oil, and natural gas are frequently used in all sectors. This case brings environmental pollution to more dangerous levels. It is of great importance to use renewable energy sources, which do not require imports and are low in cost, in order to contribute to the prevention of environmental pollution in Turkey. In this context, the biggest theme park of Europe, Ankapark, Turkey, was examined in this paper in terms of solar energy. The Ankapark parking lot project, built as the largest solar power plant in the world, was evaluated in terms of solar energy potential and investment costs.

**Keywords:** theme park, Ankapark, solar parking lot, solar energy, solar power plant

#### **1. Introduction**

Considering the amount produced in general, energy sources are examined in two groups as "primary energy sources" and "secondary energy sources." Primary energy sources are comprised of fossil resources such as coal, petroleum products, hydraulic energy and nuclear energy, while secondary energy sources include solar energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wave energy, wind energy, fusion energy, etc. The most widely used energy sources, petroleum and its derivatives as fossil sources, are the resources that will be exhausted in the near future due to rapid consumption, and thus they are depleted, ultimately causing ecological deterioration and even debalancing the climatological equilibrium arising from burning of these resources for energy production. This reveals that there is a serious problem to be solved. For these reasons, new quests have been embarked on for obtaining the energy needed in the future from sources such as solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and wave energy. Particularly the importance of solar energy

and wind energy is increasing worldwide. Undoubtedly, the most current and the most widely applied energy type among the renewable energy sources is the solar energy [1].

 Solar energy power plant is a technology based on obtaining energy from sunlight. The energy being emitted by the Sun and reaching the Earth is the energy of radiation emitted by the fusion process in the nucleus of the Sun. The conversion of hydrogen gas to helium on the Sun results from the fusion process. Outside the Earth's atmosphere, the intensity of solar radiation is approximately constant which is 1370 W/m2 . However, it varies between 0 and 1100 W/m<sup>2</sup> on Earth. Even a small part of this energy coming to Earth is many times more than the current energy consumption of humanity. The studies on the use of solar energy gained momentum especially after the 1970s. The solar energy systems have shown technological progress and brought together cost reduction, being accepted as an environmentally clean energy source [2, 3].

In the solar power plants, the energy particles coming from sunlight are converted into electrical energy. The power plants use solar cells that are similar in size to calculators but in larger volumes. Solar cells are photovoltaic batteries that convert the sun's rays into electricity. The main ingredients of these batteries are crystalline silicon and gallium arsenite [4]. Solar power plants are profitable energy paths in terms of construction/operation cost and efficiency. They can be considered as the energy production systems of the future in terms of minimum damage to nature [5, 6].

 Solar carports let you take full advantage of large parking areas for the purpose of producing electricity while providing shaded or covered parking to everyday users. Bearing in mind the abovementioned reasons, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality is increasing renewable energy usage year by year. For this purpose, theme park carport photovoltaic (PV) project was constructed. By specializing in the parking lot and drive area coverage, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality aimed to increase renewable energy usage while decreasing carbon emission [7].

#### **1.1 Solar energy potential in Turkey**

Solar energy, which is inexhaustible, nonpolluting, non-imported, and to some extent free, is one of the new and renewable energy sources. The largest source of fusion energy is the sun. Because, without polluting the environment and without disrupting the climatological balance, the solar energy can be given directly to the grid by means of direct current electric energy converters and transformers and it can be converted to hydrogen gas by electrolysis.

The annual solar energy reaching to the whole surface of the world is 1370 W/m<sup>2</sup> [8]. The distance between the Earth and the Sun is 150 million km. Half of the solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface. With this energy, the Earth's temperature rises and life becomes possible on Earth [9]. The importance of solar energy in in terms of using it has been understood in the second half of our century. Today, the use of solar energy ranges from the daily life structure and housing to communication, agriculture, industry, power plants, military services, and space. In particular, solar technology is based on low-temperature and high-temperature heat applications; radiant electric, solar, thermal applications; and photosynthetic and photochemical functions [3].

Turkey is more fortunate than many other countries in terms of solar energy potential due to its geographical location. Turkish State Meteorological Service measured the sunshine duration and radiation intensity according to the study by the renewable energy DG benefiting from the data. Turkey's average annual

#### *Evaluation of Energy Potential and Investment Costs of Solar Power Plants: Case… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836*

sunshine duration in the years 1966–1982 is available from the General Directorate of 2640 hours (daily total of 7.2 hours). The mean total radiation intensity 1.311 kWh/m2 year (total 3.6 kWh/m2 per day) has been determined [10].

Turkey has a high solar energy potential, such as 110 days, and if the necessary investment is made in Turkey, it can produce an average of 1100 kWh of solar energy per square meter per year [10] (**Figure 1**).

#### **1.2 Legislation related to solar energy in Turkey**

Under subclause 3 of article(s) of the RERCSM Regulation, RERCSM is defined as a support mechanism that includes the procedures and principles regarding payments, periods, and prices. It can be benefited by the legal entities with production licenses while generating electricity based on renewable energy sources. It also consists of the individuals, who generate electricity from renewable energy sources in the context of unlicensed electricity generation via authorized supply companies [12].

RERCSM is a market-based purchasing mechanism operated by Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST). The responsibilities, authorities, and duties of RERCSM are regulated under Electricity Market Law (EML) numbered 6446 published in the *Official Gazette* dated March 30, 2013, and numbered 28,603. According to this law, RERCSM has the duty and authority to implement dayahead planning/day-ahead market and market settlement transactions and operations [12]. Under this mechanism, the state guarantees the system to operate at certain prices in terms of electricity generated in power plants operating with renewable resources. This application, which may be considered as a guarantee of purchase, continues for 10 years according to Article 10 of the RERCSM Regulation.

Electricity to be produced at the power plant with a maximum installed capacity of 1 MW, which is planned to be established under subclause (b) of Article 14 of Electricity Market Law No. 6446, in accordance with subclause 3 of Article 14 in the same law stating "if, apart from the needs of the owners, the excessive amounts of electric produced from renewable energy sources, with exemption from license-obligation, is given to the system, the electricity is purchased by the last source supplying company over the prices which are determined by the regulation of Renewable Energy Resources for Electricity Generation dated 10.05.2005 and numbered 5346, regulated in terms of sales and provision" [13].

In accordance with Article 11 of the Regulation on Unlicensed Electricity Generation in Electricity Market and in accordance with the production source

**Figure 1.**  *Turkey solar energy potential map [11].* 

document to be issued by the network operator, according to Article 18 of the same regulation, the solar energy is purchased with the price 13.3 USD Cent/kWh for a period of 10 years to be considered under the scope of RERCSM [14].

According to the Regulation on Unlicensed Electricity Generation in the Electricity Market dated 02.10.2013, numbered 28,783, land rights (land/rent agreement), environmental impact assessment document, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture Regarding Land Qualification, etc., after the receipt of a letter of invitation within the period specified in the Regulations, connection agreement and system usage agreements are made.

#### **2. Evaluation of Ankapark solar power plant in terms of investment costs**

Ankapark solar power plant will be used in the area already designated as a parking lot in Ankapark project, one of the largest theme parks in Europe, in order to reduce the foreign dependency of energy to reduce the harmful effects of exposure to the Sun in the region, to maintain the self-sustainability, and to adopt a stance against environmental pollution. This study was conducted to evaluate the solar energy efficiency.

#### **2.1 Photovoltaic panels (PV)**

Systems that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy through panels are called as solar power plants. The technical name used for these panels is PV. The PV systems use cells to convert solar radiation into electrical energy. The cell consists of one- or two-layer semiconductor material. When the light is on the cell, an electric field is generated that produces electric current along with the layers. The larger the light intensity, the greater the electrical current. PV systems also produce electricity in cloudy weathers, and even less cloudy conditions can generate more electricity than full sunny conditions due to the reflection of sunlight.

Compared to conventional fuel options, PV has a very small share in electricity generation. However, an increasing number of people, companies, and institutions choose PV technology for environmental reasons, for economic development, as a back-up, and for risk diversification. The cost of PV for houses or workplaces depends not only on solar sources but also on electricity prices and incentives. The electrical connection between the solar energy and the local grid allows the sale of excess electricity to the local electricity company. Thus, it becomes possible to obtain electricity from the grid if no electricity is generated while the Sun is out [15, 16].

The most important part of the PV system has different technologies as described in the following:

 *Crystal silicon technology:* There are three main types of silicon technology, including monocrystalline, multicrystalline, and ribbon sheet. Efficiency is between 12 and 17%. This technology is the most common one with a 90% share in the market.

*Thin film technology:* There are four types of thin film technology. Its cost is cheaper, but its efficiency is slightly lower than that of polycrystalline and monocrystalline technology (10–16%) (**Figure 2**).

*Other cell types:* There are other PV technologies that are about to start production or are in the R & D phase.

 *Focused PV:* Some solar cells are designed to work with focused sunlight. The sunlight with a lens focuses on the cells placed in the collectors. Efficiency is between 20 and 30%.

*Evaluation of Energy Potential and Investment Costs of Solar Power Plants: Case… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

**Figure 2.**  *General view of the theme park carport PV project [17].* 

#### **2.2 Current solar energy potential of Ankapark**

Photovoltaic panels were installed in the project area with a total surface area of 60.192 m2 . Modules will be mounted on steel construction prepared at 10–25° angle. 83.600 units of 120 W power panels shall be used for the installed power. The direct current from the panels is aimed to be converted to alternating current by means of inverters with a power of 50 kilowatts.

 The investment is a production facility based on Sun power in accordance with Electricity Market Law numbered 6446, defining in the first paragraph of Article 14 the unlicensed activities with exemption from obligation to obtain a license and establishing a company. Therefore, the installed capacity is set to be just under 1 MW [12].

As a result of the investigations carried out on power plant field, the solar energy potential of the project site has been determined according to the available data, each of the 83,600 photovoltaic panels with 120 W power, and according to the other equipment of the system (inverters, fasteners, transformers, wiring, electrical measurement controls, etc.). The aim of the system is to convert the field potential to electrical energy under optimum conditions. **Table 1** provides preliminary project data for the Ankapark area.

#### **2.3 Evaluation of investment costs of Ankapark power plant**

 The investment cost of Ankapark power plant was estimated via Oska software by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. According to the results of the assessment via this software, an expenditure table was created. The expenditure table that consists of the investment cost of the solar power plant with the installed capacity of MWp (10 × 0.998) is presented in **Table 2**. Project site acquisition, permit, VAT, license, and company capital are not included in the investment cost.

The annual operating expenses of the plant in Ankapark are estimated to be around 328,281 Euro in total, and unit energy production cost will be 2.21 Euro cent/KWh, excluding depreciation, finance, and tax in accordance with Article 11 of the Regulation on the Production of Unlicensed Electricity in the Electricity Market and in accordance with the production source document to be given by the network operator. The provisions of Article 18 of the same regulation and the Purchase of Excess of Energy directory provision shall be made by the supplying company, Sun Power Systems, for a period of 10 years within the scope of RERCSM with a unit cost of 13.3 USD Cent/KWh for solar power plant investment. In addition, the installed capacity of the plant will be 10.032 MW, it will generate approximately 12.026 t CO2 for 14.500.450 kWh/year energy, and it will have a carbon income of 60.130 Euro/year over 5.00 Euro/t (**Figure 3**).


#### **Table 1.**

*Ankapark project data [18].* 


#### **Table 2.**

*Investment items of Ankapark power plant [19].* 

*Evaluation of Energy Potential and Investment Costs of Solar Power Plants: Case… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

**Figure 3.** 

*View of solar panels and panels planned to be installed in the parking lot of Ankapark.* 

#### **3. Conclusion**

 For the year 2018, 37.3% of electricity generation in Turkey was obtained from coal, while 29.8% of it was produced from natural gas, 19.8% from hydraulic energy, 6.6% from wind energy, 2.6% from solar energy, 2.5% from geothermal energy, and 1.4% from other sources. According to the types of the sources, the installed power distribution in Turkey can be listed as follows: 31.9% of the installed power is based on hydraulic energy, 25.6% on natural gas, 21.5% on coal, 7.9% on wind, 5.7% on solar, 1.4% on geothermal, and 5.9% in the form of other sources.

Based on the scenario with the highest probability, in case of an increase by 4.8% (to 385 TWh), the electricity consumption in the year 2023 in Turkey is expected to rise by 5.5% (to 357.4 TWh). By the end of the year 2018, power plants with a total of 4,025.5 MW additional capacity were added to the system, and as of the end of the 2018, Turkey electrical capacity increased to around 88.551 MW.

Although Turkey's geography has a great energy potential, Turkey should further increase the investments until 2023 and should meet the growing energy demand through renewable energy sources. It is thought that electricity consumption will reach to 385 terawatt hours in 2023 with an annual increase average of 4.8% compared to the base scenario [20].

 Considering that the life of the system is 25 years on average for state or private enterprises, it is a profitable investment for all enterprises. It is very important that government support for solar energy investments should continue for the coming decade as well. Solar power plant investments in Turkey are foreseen as a very profitable investment with government support in renewable energy sources.

*ISBS 2019 - 4th International Sustainable Buildings Symposium* 

#### **Author details**

Ahmet Nazım Akkaya, Harun Varlı\* and Seyfettin Kurt Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Ankara, Turkey

\*Address all correspondence to: varlihan@hotmail.com

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

*Evaluation of Energy Potential and Investment Costs of Solar Power Plants: Case… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.87836* 

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Section 5

Environmental Policies

and Practices

Section 5
