Sun indirectly constitutes the basis of all energy sources we use. Global warming and rises in oil prices have rapidly increased the demand for alternative energy sources, especially solar energy. Our country is receiving far more long-term sun rays than many European countries due to its location.

Turkey has a potential of 380 billion kilowatt hours of solar energy annually. The annual solar energy per square meter is 1,303 kWh and the average annual sun shining duration is 2,640 hours. These data correspond to a power of 3.6 kWh per square meter per day and approximately 7.2 hours of sunshine. The highest annual average global radiation value among the provinces in the region belongs to the province of Niğde with 1,620 kWh/m²-year. The average daily global radiation value of Niğde province is 4.44 KWh/m²-day, and the average daily sunshine duration is 8.03 hours.

Evaluation of Eligibility of Niğde and Bor District for Solar Energy Investments  

Niğde province is one of the leading regions of our country in terms of its current status and potential in the solar industry.

It is suitable for solar farm investments due to reasons such as high solar radiation values, the presence of lands having the characteristics of weak pasture but suitable for the production of photovoltaic energy.

There are many companies claiming to operate in the solar energy industry.

The majority of solar power generation investments in the world:

Having high sunshine potential,
Low alternative costs,
Located on wide and flat lands,
And consists mainly of PV lands.

Considering these conditions, Bor District of Niğde Province is one of the most suitable regions of our country for the establishment of solar power generation facilities, in many respects, especially in terms of sun shine potential and the presence of lands suitable for photovoltaic investments but not for agriculture-pasturing.

The solar energy potential of our country generally increases as going down to the southern regions and very significant amounts of solar radiation as 2,000 kWh / m2-year can be acquired. This figure is about twice as much compared to Germany's highest sun shine areas. Regions with the highest solar radiation; Muğla, Burdur, Antalya, Konya (South), Karaman, İçel (North), Niğde, Kayseri, K.Maraş, Malatya, Adıyaman, Elazığ, Bingöl, Muş, Bitlis, Van regions. Among these regions, the provinces with the largest land areas and least mountainous areas are undoubtedly the provinces of Niğde, Konya and Karaman. The region where the radiation amount is concentrated the most is Niğde, Konya-Karaman region, and Antalya and Van regions.

In terms of earthquake risk, the region is located in the 4th Degree earthquake zone and is considered as one of the least risk-bearing regions of our country in terms of earthquake. Considering the precipitation conditions of the Niğde region, according to the averages of many years, it is 643.9 kg/m2 annually throughout Turkey and 330 kg/m2 annually in Niğde. Parameters Considered for Solar Energy Investments and Their Values in Bor