Optimizing solar water heating systems for carbon emission reduction in residential buildings: A case study of Turkey’s renewable energy potential

In line with efforts to meet global energy demand through renewable energy sources, research on the development of new renewable energy systems and the enhancement of existing systems’ efficiency has gained considerable momentum in recent years. This study presents a comprehensive analysis evaluating the potential of solar water heating (SWH) systems across 45 different locations in Turkey. Using T*SOL (Thermal Solar Simulation Software) and MeteoSyn (Meteorological Data Simulation Software), the study reveals that SWH systems can meet 63%, 62%, and 57% of the total heating demand in Mersin, Hatay, and Adana, respectively. Despite domestic production of 408 million m 3 of natural gas in 2022, Turkey imported 54.6 billion m 3 to meet its demand. The analysis demonstrates that SWH systems in the surveyed regions of Turkey can save a total of 28,095 m 3 of natural gas annually, offering significant environmental and economic benefits. Additionally, annual CO 2 emission reductions of 1,726 kg, 1,652 kg, and 1,544 kg can be achieved in Şanlıurfa, Van, and Erzurum, respectively, resulting in a total reduction of 59,423 kg of CO 2 emissions, thus decreasing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. According to the analysis results, the solar energy system has produced 130,592 kWh of energy for space heating and 225,131 kWh for water heating. These findings indicate that SWH systems could play a crucial role in meeting the residential heating and hot water demands in Turkey, and that their widespread adoption could contribute meaningfully to energy efficiency and sustainable development goals.