Organizations from Türkiye continue to participate in European energy consortiums under the Horizon Europe program since 2021.
The projects, involving universities, research institutions, public bodies, and industrial companies, cover a wide range of areas from power grids and energy systems to energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, and hydrogen and solar energy technologies.
While Türkiye's Horizon Europe performance in energy spans various technology and research topics, photovoltaic (PV) technologies have recently become one of the prominent fields. A strong ecosystem has emerged—comprising industrial enterprises, research centers, and public institutions from Türkiye—in many areas ranging from next-generation PV technologies and production processes to circularity and integrated applications with different sectors.
This partnership particularly stands out in next-generation photovoltaic technologies and grid solutions that will make renewable-energy-heavy power systems more flexible and resilient.
According to publicly available project results, approximately 150 participants from Türkiye have been involved in around 80 energy projects since the program began in 2021. The total project budget of Turkish organizations in these projects has reached approximately 94.5 million euros.
Türkiye is coordinator in 4 solar projects
Organizations from Türkiye are serving as coordinators for 4 projects in the field of photovoltaics.
Among these, Kalyon PV coordinates the "PV4Plants" project, which has a budget of approximately 4.9 million euros and brings together agriculture and energy production on the same land. Middle East Technical University (METU) Solar Energy Research and Applications Center (ODTÜ-GÜNAM), Yıldız Technical University, Tat Gıda, and ESG Yazılım are also involved in the project from Türkiye.
Within the scope of the project, pilot applications are being carried out in Türkiye, Spain, and Denmark. In these sites, variables such as panel tilt, irrigation levels, and fertilizer amounts are optimized with real-time data using solar panels patented by ODTÜ-GÜNAM and Yıldız Technical University and manufactured by Kalyon PV.
TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) coordinates the "SUN-TRANS" project, which has a budget of around 8.2 million euros. The project, which also includes ODTÜ-GÜNAM, Bozankaya, Musoshi, and the General Directorate of ESHOT (İzmir Electricity, Water, Coal Gas, Bus and Trolleybus), aims to integrate photovoltaic systems into electric buses and last-mile delivery vehicles.
In pilot applications in İzmir, Alba Iulia in Romania, and Bilbao in Spain, vehicle-integrated solar panels, power electronics, and AI-supported fleet management solutions will be tested.
ODTÜ-GÜNAM will also coordinate the "PRELAM-IPV" and "CRAFT-PV" projects scheduled to begin in 2027.
Kalyon PV and Cubichem are participating in the PRELAM-IPV project, while Elin Elektrik, ITECHSOLAR, and Solarvis are involved in the CRAFT-PV project. In the projects, which are planned to last approximately 3 years, work will focus on reducing the use of critical raw materials, developing recyclable and long-lasting solar panels, and new manufacturing processes.
Türkiye stands out in solar cell and panel manufacturing
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selçuk Yerci, Chairman of the Board of ODTÜ-GÜNAM, told the Anadolu Agency reporter that public support and the country's manufacturing capacity were influential in the momentum Türkiye achieved in photovoltaic technologies.
Yerci stated that due to China's dominant position in the solar energy sector, industrial enterprises in unprotected regions have withdrawn from the market, whereas the sector has strengthened in protected markets like Türkiye.
Pointing out that Europe is home to the world's best R&D institutions in solar energy, Yerci noted:
"Because Europe lacks a strong industry, European research centers collaborate with Turkish industry representatives to learn about the sector's challenges and remain competitive in terms of R&D. Türkiye currently produces more solar cells and panels than all of Europe combined and can export to other protected markets such as the US. Especially in terms of the supply chain in cooperation with China, our country is the most developed nation in our region. In addition to domestic cells, glass, polymers, junction boxes, and metal connections can now also be produced domestically."
Aiming to shape technology
Yerci stated that ODTÜ-GÜNAM and Turkish companies previously participated in Horizon Europe projects mostly as technology-providing partners.
Explaining that with the coordination of the PRELAM-IPV and CRAFT-PV projects, ODTÜ-GÜNAM has now stepped into a position that drives innovation, and Turkish companies have transitioned into the role of primary beneficiaries, Yerci expressed that they aim to move industrialists from being technology followers to technology drivers in specific fields.
"Our goal is to be a partner in the dreams of our industrialists. In this context, I think it is very important to ensure that solar panels produced in Türkiye are recognized globally as premium quality. In this way, we can compete globally with Indian and Korean brands," Yerci said.
Emphasizing that the success of the projects should not be measured solely by the EU funds received, Yerci evaluated: "All of these projects were written together with Europe's most prominent R&D institutions, prioritizing the energy independence of our country and Europe. A 3-year period with no losers is about to begin. The winner will definitely be our country, but it is too early to say how much we will gain."
