Turkey added 2.1 GW of new solar energy capacity during the first half of 2026, bringing the country's total cumulative solar capacity to approximately 26.9 GW.
The number of solar power plants in Turkey rose from approximately 37,600 at the start of the year to over 41,000 by the end of June.
In June 2026, solar energy accounted for 16.5% of electricity production according to EPİAŞ data, surpassing the previous monthly record of 16.1% set in June 2025.
Highest monthly solar energy production recorded in June 2026.
Solar energy production in June reached approximately 5 TWh, marking the highest monthly production amount to date.
Unlicensed projects and storage integration
Of the 2.1 GW of new capacity commissioned in the first half of the year, approximately 1.8 GW consisted of unlicensed electricity production facilities, according to Ember Energy Analyst Bahadır Sercan Gümüş.
Unlicensed facilities installed for self-consumption with a capacity of up to 5 MW constitute the majority of operating solar power plants in Turkey today.
Gümüş expects that unlicensed projects focused on self-consumption will continue to be the main driver of growth for the remainder of the year.
Turkey's first storage-integrated solar power plant, with a capacity of 260 MW, was commissioned commercially in the first half of 2026.
The monthly charge-discharge volume of energy storage systems reached approximately 14 GWh in June, which represents about 0.05% of the monthly electricity consumption.
Storage systems are not yet at a scale to affect the electricity market.
Gümüş stated that while Turkey has a licensed project portfolio including YEKA tenders and storage-integrated projects, the commissioning speed of these projects has been below expectations.
Future targets and tenders
Turkey plans to make new purchases in October for 900 MW of solar and 1.5 GW of wind capacity as part of the next YEKA tender.
The Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources may increase the 120 GW solar and wind energy target set for 2035 during COP31, scheduled to be held in Ankara in November.
Gümüş stated that Turkey needs to commission more than 8 GW of solar and wind energy capacity every year to reach the 120 GW target.
Gümüş expects Turkey's large stock of storage projects to be commissioned gradually in the coming years.
