Thousands of solar panels sent to power recovery effort in earthquake devastated Türkiye

Earthquake affected regions of Türkiye are to get up to 12,000 solar panels to meet the electricity needs of temporary shelters for victims of the disaster

Turkish renewable energy NGO the Turkish Solar Energy Industry Association (GENSED), in partnership with the Energy Investors Association, announced the move yesterday.

GENSED’s General Secretary Harkan Erkan told Anadolu Agency (the Turkish news agency) that the organisations had drawn up a list of equipment needed, including solar panels, inverters and batteries, for installation on the ground or in roofs in the earthquake zone.

An initial delivery of 4,000 panels will be sent in advance to power 1,000 containers that are being used to provide temporary shelter. Four panels will be used for each shelter to provide lighting, partial heating, telephone chargers and A+ refrigerators.

Erkan explained that the goal is to provide sustainable power on a temporary basis using 3–4 kilowatt inverters and batteries for every three to four panels.

“We think it will also help with heating when the sun is out,” he said.

The initial 4,000 panels were funded by Turkish aid organisation Ahbap Association.

So far over 35,000 people have died across Türkiye and Syria after two 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude quakes hit the region.

According to Daily Sabah, some of the panel and equipment costs were donated, while Turkish aid organisations like Ahbap covered others.

“In total, 12,000 solar panels are planned for the region, with a capacity of 400-500 watts,” Erkan told Daily Sabah.