The transformative role of rooftops and local governments in energy independence

Türkiye is following a significant roadmap for energy transformation with the goal of reaching 30 GW of renewable energy installed capacity by 2028. This target is critical for both ensuring energy supply security and reducing external dependency. Large-scale solar and wind power plants are often at the center of this transition. However, there is another potential that is often overlooked but is just as strategic for the country's energy future: the roofs of our homes and apartment buildings.

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, 88.3% of the country's population lives in multi-story buildings or apartments. This percentage indicates that urban areas actually have a largely untapped energy production potential. Considering the existing infrastructure of cities, rooftop solar energy systems (Rooftop SPP) can become not only individual energy production tools but also complementary elements of the national energy supply chain.

The current “Energy Performance Regulation for Buildings” has taken an important step by introducing a 10% renewable energy usage requirement for new buildings over 2,000 m². However, this regulation does not provide sufficient scope to evaluate Türkiye's estimated rooftop solar energy potential of approximately 120 GW. Since the legislation only covers new buildings, there is a serious gap in terms of the existing building stock and densely populated areas. At this point, municipalities, which are administrative units with local implementation power that can directly engage with citizens, have a critical role to play.

The most concrete example in this context is the “Istanbul Solar Map” project implemented by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. This digital platform, created using Lidar technology, analyzes the roofs of buildings throughout the city based on technical parameters such as slope, orientation, shading, and radiation levels, thereby creating a comprehensive roof inventory. Citizens can use this system to learn about the solar energy potential of their roofs, perform virtual installation simulations, and calculate the return on investment period. This application is a scalable model not only for Istanbul but also for other metropolitan municipalities.

However, merely collecting data and creating an inventory is not sufficient to achieve the goals. Municipalities must take on a mission to encourage, facilitate, and guide in order to realize this potential. Installing rooftop solar energy systems, especially in multi-stakeholder structures such as apartment buildings and housing complexes, involves complex technical and legal processes. Technical advisory units or “license-free energy production desks” established within municipalities can facilitate citizens' investment decisions by providing guidance throughout these processes.

Municipalities can also accelerate the transition through financial incentive mechanisms. Measures such as property tax reductions for buildings with solar energy systems on their roofs, or exemptions from building permits or occupancy fees, can shorten the investment payback period and encourage individuals to take action in this direction. To reduce aesthetic and architectural concerns, integrated panel systems (such as BIPV) can be promoted. In addition, citizen participation can be strengthened through campaigns that raise social awareness, such as “Generate your energy, lower your bill,” supported by neighborhood-based information meetings and energy cooperative models.

Even if only a small portion of Türkiye's 120 GW rooftop potential is utilized, it could have a groundbreaking impact on the country's energy equation. Thanks to the distributed generation structure, the load on the central grid is reduced, while energy supply security increases. At the same time, individuals can save on high electricity costs and earn additional income by selling their surplus energy to the grid. At the macro level, the reduction in fossil fuel imports contributes to the foreign trade balance, while growth in the solar energy sector creates new employment opportunities in installation, maintenance, engineering, and R&D.

For Türkiye to achieve its target of 30 GW of renewable energy by 2028, approximately 3.35 GW of new solar energy capacity must be commissioned each year. It is clear that this target can only be achieved not only through large-scale power plant investments but also by turning every roof into an energy production point. The rooftop inventory initiative launched by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is a strong start for this transformation. However, creating a lasting impact across the country is directly linked to the financial, technical, and legal support that the central government provides to local governments.

It is critically important for the central government to present a comprehensive policy framework that will increase the capacity of local governments, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and strengthen financial resources. Such an approach will strengthen energy supply security in a local and sustainable manner while converting Türkiye's rooftop solar energy potential into economic value.