Will TEDAŞ's project implementation really change the current systems?

In Türkiye, residential solar power plants (SPPs) with capacities of 25 kW and below, particularly in detached residences, have significant potential. However, bureaucratic and financial hurdles preventing this potential from being realized present significant challenges for investors. At this point, TEDAŞ's "Project Preparation Application for Investments of 25 kW and Below," launched earlier this week, stands out with its promise to reduce these obstacles and expedite the process.

So, is this application capable of replacing the current system? Or is it simply a tool that offers a new interface, no different from the old systems? We believe the answer lies in the application's technical infrastructure and its integration with existing systems.

Currently, each distribution company (BEDAŞ, AYEDAŞ, OEDAŞ, etc.) has its own unlicensed solar power plant application portals. These complex systems, often involving applications from the project developer (such as Solar EPCs), typically require the project developer to submit them. After approval, projects prepared by the developer are uploaded to the system, and the process is monitored accordingly. However, the biggest weakness of the current system is that the project design phase is left entirely to the investor or developer. Projects prepared in varying formats, details, and quality can lead to distribution companies engaging in non-standard, complex, and time-consuming review processes. Each project must be reviewed individually, and approval times can stretch to weeks or even months, or even be rejected on trivial grounds. Sometimes, a solar power plant whose project was approved months ago and whose installation has been completed in accordance with the project may be revisited from the preliminary approval stage to the project approval stage.

At this point, I think the main promise of TEDAŞ's application is to end this chaotic process by introducing a central standard, to manage the process centrally, and to provide cost advantages through uniform and automatic project production.

So, aren't there critical risks—listed below—that need to be overcome for this seemingly positive step in theory to deliver on its promises in practice? Have these risks been assessed and considered in practice?

• While TEDAŞ's implementation standardizes project design, I believe the final technical review and approval authority will remain with the distribution companies. If the implementation leads to a sudden increase in the number of applications, their existing technical teams may not be able to handle the increased demand. Even if the pace of project development increases, longer queues may occur during the approval phase. Furthermore, distribution companies may be reluctant to compromise their control and may subject even standard projects to detailed review.

• Standard templates may be ideal for simple roof applications. However, they may be inadequate in exceptional cases, such as low-sloping roofs, garages, or buildings with complex electrical installations. If the system tends to reject or revise these types of projects, the speed gained for standard projects can lead to additional delays for these complex projects. The revision mechanism must clearly define how it will respond to non-standard situations.

• Seamlessly integrating a new centralized system into the diverse infrastructures across 21 different distribution regions is a challenging task. Potential software errors, data transfer issues, or compatibility issues, far from expediting the process, could make it even more complex than it already is.

• The application may encourage investors with limited technical knowledge by reducing costs. However, the system's proper operation depends on the investor entering accurate and complete information. Incorrect data entry or failure to follow subsequent processes, such as the system connection agreement, will render the project dysfunctional and the investor will again need professional consulting. This could negate the anticipated cost advantage.

This initiative by TEDAŞ is a very positive step toward expanding and digitizing unlicensed solar power plant applications. The implementation's ultimate success will require not only a user-friendly interface but also the rapid digitization and automation of project approval mechanisms, strengthening the technical infrastructure and human resources needed to integrate distribution companies into this new process, and establishing a flexible and rapid revision channel for non-standard projects.

In summary, TEDAŞ can significantly accelerate the "project development" phase of Türkiye's micro-solar power plant (GPP) journey. However, the truly critical success lies in navigating the "project approval" curve further down the line with the same mastery. Otherwise, the path to speed will only lead all investors to the head of a longer approval queue.

We will experience it and see it together!