“Turkish Photovoltaic Technologies Platform” Project submitted by METU GÜNAM (Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications) together with 8 other national partners to the “Call for High Technology Platforms” opened within the scope of TÜBİTAK Center of Excellence Support Program (1004 Program) has been accepted and passed to the next stage.
The Turkish Photovoltaic Technologies Platform (TPTP), initiated by METU-GÜNAM, was designed and presented to the 1004 program. TPTP aims to make Turkey a world-leading country in the field of solar energy technologies. There are two major motivations in this initiative: reducing the use of fossil fuels that cause global warming and climate change; and reducing the energy import of Turkey, which is the most important cause of Turkey’s current account deficit. Solar energy represents the most effective option for solving both of these problems. In addition, when other factors such as the development of high technology products and other positive effects such as the amount and the quality of employment are calculated, it is evident that the solar energy field has become a critically important sector in the development of our country.
Along with METU-GÜNAM, public institutions, TÜBİTAK MAM Energy Institute and Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, and private institutions, Şişecam A.Ş., Bereket Enerji A.Ş., GTC Güneş Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., TESCOM, Nanovatif, iTechSolar, are participating in the TPTP, which aims to make a significant breakthrough within four years with its ambitious and comprehensive program. In the project, also; Fraunhofer ISE from Germany and IMEC from Belgium, which are the leading organizations in this field taking place as partner organizations. With the participation of each organization in the program with at least one project, many products needed by the industry will be created in four years.
TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1004 Program is a new initiative aimed at creating platforms that develop high-tech products in Turkey, which can have a high impact on the development of our country. Only research universities and research centers under Turkish law 6550 can apply to this program, which supports projects that are expected to have high budgets and broad goals. Apart from the leading executive institution, the projects should include at least two universities or public research centers, and at least two private sector organizations with an R&D center. It is also possible to include appropriate partners from abroad.
