SOLARBABA -- Turkey is one of the largest agricultural economies in the world. Currently the biggest in Europe and 7th in the world; agriculture has been historically one of the main industries of the nation.

Surely, such an economical emphasis on agriculture brings the questions: Does Turkey make use of solar for his fertile lands? Answer was negative a few years ago, but today, we are seeing examples of solar PV irrigation systems proliferating particularly in South Eastern region, thanks to various grants by development agencies supporting these underdeveloped regions.

EkoRE is one such renewable energy company that initiated a project of solar powered irrigations systems to raise awareness. Gave its first example in Şanlıurfa. Several MPs and municipal governors also joined the opening, wishing the project to set an example.

Small in size, big in impact; the 67 kW PV system powers the 37 kW pumps water for high-value products such as cotton in the region. The system has the capacity to pump up to 72 meters below ground level, and sustain 1000 m3/day volumetric flow rate while doing so. It’s also currently the Turkey’s biggest solar powered irrigation system.

EkoRE CEO Serhan Süzer said: “Farmers in these parts face risk of having their crops getting burnt because of frequent cuts of electricity and thus no possibility to water the land. Last year in the fertile lands of Şanlıurfa, half billion Turkish liras-worth of agricultral products got burnt, and farmers were in great trouble. As EkoRE, we wanted to solve this problem by providing our farmers an option, which is solar powered pumping systems. Now they can use water without cuts during daytime and plan ahead without unexpected disturbances.”

A short 5-minutes documentary about the project can be seen via this link.