Rooftop Solar Power Plant Installation in Türkiye: Step-by-Step Process and Key Considerations

A rooftop solar power plant (SPP, known in Turkish as GES) is installed in six core steps: (1) roof and energy feasibility, (2) roof structural and load capacity analysis, (3) the unlicensed generation application and connection agreement, (4) engineering design and procurement, (5) mounting structure and electrical installation, and (6) grid connection and commissioning. For the process to run smoothly, every step has to be handled on both the technical side (structural, DC/AC design, grounding) and the regulatory side, which involves TEDAŞ (the Turkish Electricity Distribution Company), EMRA (EPDK, Türkiye's Energy Market Regulatory Authority), and the local distribution company.

In practice, you first analyze your consumption and roof area to set the target installed capacity, then confirm with a structural report that the roof can carry the panel weight and wind load. Under the unlicensed generation scheme, you apply to the distribution company and obtain a call letter and a connection agreement. Panels, inverters, and the mounting system are installed according to the approved design; finally, after the meter is replaced and provisional acceptance is completed, the plant is connected to the grid and commissioned.

For most businesses, the three most critical points are the roof's structural suitability, yield losses caused by shading and orientation, and adequate grid connection capacity. If these three are assessed correctly at the start, the gap between expected and actual generation after installation is kept to a minimum.

The feasibility stage establishes the facility's electricity consumption profile and the roof's generation potential. Monthly and annual energy bills are reviewed to build the consumption curve, and the roof's orientation (south-facing surfaces are preferred), pitch, usable net area, and shading over the course of the day are analyzed. These inputs set the target installed capacity of the plant and its annual generation estimate.

In self-consumption rooftop projects, it is important to size the plant to match the facility's daytime consumption. When a large share of the generation is consumed on the spot, the payback period gets shorter. That is why the feasibility study should look not only at total consumption but also at the intraday load profile.

At this stage, a preliminary yield simulation is run using solar irradiation data, panel orientation, and tilt angle. A sound feasibility study is the foundation for every step that follows; projects that start with incomplete data usually end up with underperformance or unexpected costs.

You confirm it with a structural report prepared by a qualified engineer, and this is the most critical technical step of a rooftop solar installation. PV panels, the mounting structure, and fasteners add a permanent dead load to the roof, and environmental loads such as wind and snow must be factored in as well.

The mounting method and support system change with the roof type: sandwich panel, trapezoidal metal sheet, concrete, or tile. Trapezoidal sheet roofs usually take dedicated clamp systems, while concrete roofs may use ballasted or anchored systems. In every case, the connection details must be chosen so that the waterproofing stays intact and the roof warranty is preserved.

No materials should be ordered until structural suitability has been confirmed. Roofs with insufficient load capacity may need strengthening, which affects the project's cost and schedule. Skipping structural safety is an unacceptable risk, both for life safety and for the long-term integrity of the plant.

Most rooftop solar installations in Türkiye are built under the unlicensed generation scheme, which means the plant is put into operation through an application to the relevant distribution company and within the procedures set by EMRA and TEDAŞ, without a separate generation license. The application is assessed against the technical capacity of the connection area.

The application package includes details of the consumption installation, roof and building documents, and technical documents such as the single-line diagram. If the application is approved, the distribution company issues a call letter, after which the connection agreement is signed. Together, these documents form the official framework that defines under which conditions and at what capacity the plant will connect to the grid.

Getting the regulatory side right matters as much as the installation itself. An incomplete or incorrect application can drag out the process or reveal that the connection capacity is insufficient. Having the application file prepared by an experienced engineering team prevents surprise delays.

These two steps turn the approved connection into a working plant: once the connection agreement is in place, a detailed construction design is prepared and the equipment is procured (step 4), and then the mechanical and electrical installation is carried out (step 5). The design covers the panel layout (string design), inverter selection and placement, DC and AC cable cross-sections, protective equipment, and the grounding system. String fuses and a DC disconnect switch are specified on the DC side, and suitable circuit breakers and protective devices on the AC side.

Equipment selection weighs durability and warranty terms as heavily as panel and inverter efficiency. The mounting structure should be made from corrosion-resistant material, and cable routes should be protected against UV and mechanical damage. Lightning protection and equipotential grounding are safety components that should never be neglected on rooftop solar systems.

In the mechanical installation, the mounting structure is fixed to the roof first, then the panels are mounted and the string connections are made. In the electrical installation, the DC cabling runs to the inverters, and the inverter outputs connect to the facility's distribution through an LV switchboard. Here, Miratek's experience in LV switchboard (electrical panel) manufacturing and electrical contracting ensures the solar plant is integrated with the facility's existing infrastructure in line with applicable standards.

Once installation is complete, the plant goes through commissioning tests: string voltage measurements, insulation and continuity tests, grounding resistance measurement, and a check of inverter settings. A bidirectional (import-export) meter is installed, and the distribution company's provisional acceptance process is completed.

At grid connection, the inverters must operate in line with grid parameters (voltage and frequency), and grid protection functions must be set correctly. Incorrect protection settings can prevent the plant from disconnecting safely during a grid fault (anti-islanding protection). That is why commissioning should be carried out by an experienced technical team.

After provisional acceptance, the plant officially begins generating. A monitoring system is set up so that generation data can be tracked remotely, allowing performance drops and faults to be spotted early. Regular cleaning and periodic maintenance keep the panels performing at their expected yield.

The most common mistake is not assessing the roof structure thoroughly enough. Installations carried out without confirming load capacity create both structural risk and later strengthening costs. The second frequent mistake is underestimating shading; chimneys, roof projections, or shadows from neighboring buildings can seriously reduce string yield.

Another mistake is sizing the system out of step with the consumption profile. Plants that are oversized or undersized both hurt the payback period. Neglecting grounding and lightning protection is also a significant risk, for equipment life and for safety alike.

On the regulatory side, incomplete application files and failing to confirm connection capacity in advance cause delays. The common remedy for all of these mistakes is to manage the project end to end under a single engineering discipline, from feasibility through commissioning. That is the approach behind Miratek's SPP Installation and Commissioning service, through which we have delivered 50 MW of installed solar capacity across Türkiye.