Useful information
Solar Energy in Türkiye: 2026 Investment Incentives, YEKDEM, Grants and Tax Advantages
Written by Başak Yüksel, Project and TURQUALITY® Specialist
Reviewed by Ahmet Ersoy, Co-Founder
- Related service Energy Consulting
Contents5 sections
Solar energy in Türkiye is backed by a multi-layered incentive package: the YEKDEM purchase guarantee, tax and customs exemptions under the Investment Incentive Certificate, VAT exemption and public bank loans. As of 2026, investors in solar power plants can use all of these mechanisms at the same time.
Solar energy in Türkiye: the incentive landscape for investors
Türkiye has some of the best solar radiation levels in Europe. Manufacturers in industrial zones across Central Anatolia, the Southeast and the Mediterranean basin are using rooftop solar both to cut energy costs and to access government support. Licensed zones such as the Konya Karapınar Solar Energy Zone open a separate route for large-scale investors.
Incentives run through three separate channels: energy legislation (YEKDEM, licensing), investment legislation (the Investment Incentive Certificate) and sector programmes (agricultural irrigation, rural development). Which one fits you depends on installed capacity, project location and investor profile.
The main incentive mechanisms compared
| Support mechanism | Scope | Implementing institution | Main condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| YEKDEM purchase guarantee | Fixed price guarantee for the electricity generated | Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), Energy Exchange Istanbul (EPİAŞ) | Generation licence or unlicensed generation certificate |
| Investment Incentive Certificate | Tax reduction, customs duty exemption, social security premium support | Ministry of Industry and Technology | Minimum fixed investment amount |
| VAT exemption | No VAT on machinery and equipment purchases | Ministry of Treasury and Finance | Incentive certificate or licence |
| Agricultural solar support | Grant or support payment for irrigation systems | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry | Farmer registration; used for irrigation |
| Public bank loans | Low-interest investment loans | Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye | Project feasibility report |
YEKDEM: what the guaranteed tariff means in practice
The Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism (YEKDEM) guarantees that electricity from solar plants is sold into the grid at a set tariff. Small rooftop systems with unlicensed status and large licensed plants fall into different tariff groups. For the current tariff and application calendar, check the official website of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK).
Tax and customs advantages under the Investment Incentive Certificate
An Investment Incentive Certificate from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology gives a solar project direct financial gains: corporate tax reduction, customs duty exemption and VAT exemption. Rates and durations vary by investment region, and incentives in Regions 5 and 6 in particular can shorten the payback period considerably.
Solar grants: who can apply?
Grant-type support comes mainly through two channels:
- Agricultural irrigation electrification support: the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry makes direct payments to registered farm businesses that irrigate with solar power.
- Rural development grant programmes: under IPARD and national rural development programmes, solar projects for rural energy infrastructure can qualify for grants.
In both programmes, the application window, project size and regional conditions are decisive. Because applications open only in set periods, preparing in advance is the most important step.
5 points to watch when you apply
- Define the project scope: licensed, unlicensed or agricultural? Each status leads down a different regulatory path.
- Get the feasibility report right: in loan and grant applications, the project’s economic case is the core document.
- Apply for the incentive certificate before you invest: applications made after the investment starts cannot use certificate-based advantages.
- Check the region: the incentive region of the province you invest in directly sets your tax reduction rate.
- Watch the programme calendars: agricultural support in particular opens once a year, and late applications roll over to the next period.
Frequently asked questions
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I’m installing rooftop solar. Can I use YEKDEM?Yes. Unlicensed rooftop systems under 1 MW can use the YEKDEM tariff for surplus output fed into…
Yes. Unlicensed rooftop systems under 1 MW can use the YEKDEM tariff for surplus output fed into the grid under the Regulation on Unlicensed Electricity Generation.
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What is the minimum investment for an Investment Incentive Certificate?The minimum fixed investment varies by region, and as of 2026 the threshold is much higher in…
The minimum fixed investment varies by region, and as of 2026 the threshold is much higher in metropolitan provinces. For current amounts, check the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s incentive guide.
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Do you need a farmer certificate for agricultural solar support?Yes. To use the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s irrigation electrification support, you…
Yes. To use the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s irrigation electrification support, you must be registered in the Farmer Registration System and document that the system will be used for irrigation.
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Can you combine more than one incentive mechanism?Yes, unless the legislation explicitly rules it out.
Yes, unless the legislation explicitly rules it out. YEKDEM, the Investment Incentive Certificate and the VAT exemption can be used together for the same project, but structuring that combination correctly takes technical and legal expertise.
Getting the incentive structure wrong in a renewable energy investment can be costly. Through our Grant and Incentive Consulting service, we identify the right incentive package for your solar project, prepare the application file and follow it through to the end.
At FIX, we manage solar energy incentive applications end to end, from documents to follow-up with the authorities. Talk to our team about routing your project to the right incentive channel.