Aydın Tiryaki (February 16, 2026)

Introduction: The Hidden Energy Treasure

In the modern search for sustainable energy, the priority is not only finding new sources but also utilizing “idle spaces” provided by existing infrastructures. As of 2026, with over 30,000 kilometers of divided highways and advanced engineering structures, Turkey possesses the potential to become a global-scale “solar energy corridor.” This article analyzes how transportation networks—such as highways and railways—can be transformed into energy production hubs without detracting anything from nature.

1. Divided Highways: A 30,000-Kilometer Continuous Power Plant

Turkey’s approximately 30,049-kilometer divided highway network offers an unparalleled corridor for solar panel installation.

• Surface Area Optimization: By designing panels for median strips in a “dual-tilt” or “A-frame” (beşik çatı) configuration instead of a flat layout, the surface area of the panels can significantly exceed the length of the corridor. With this method, a 40,000-kilometer panel surface can be created along a 30,000-kilometer route.
• Energy Potential: With a panel area of approximately 80-85 million square meters, the annual production of 25-28 TWh would be three times the average output of the Atatürk Dam, Turkey’s largest hydroelectric plant.

2. Embankments and Slopes: Naturally Inclined Platforms

The slopes (embankments) created during road construction, which are unsuitable for agriculture, serve as “ready-to-use platforms” for solar energy.

• Natural Inclination: The inherent slope of these areas allows panels to be installed at optimal angles without the need for expensive additional steel support structures.
• Erosion Control: Installing panels in these areas acts as a “technological shield,” preventing direct contact between soil and rain/wind, thus serving as an erosion control method that enhances road safety.

3. Side Surfaces of Viaducts: Three-Dimensional Energy Harvesting

Viaducts represent the most efficient vertical spaces in transportation infrastructure.

• Zero Shadow Risk: Due to their height, viaduct surfaces receive direct sunlight throughout the day without interference from surrounding obstacles.
• Vertical Utilization: Bifacial panels mounted on the lateral surfaces of kilometers-long viaducts collect both direct sunlight and reflections (albedo effect) from the ground or road, maximizing yield per square meter.

4. Railway Lines: Potential and Technical Constraints

The spaces between railway tracks constitute thousands of kilometers of immense idle area. While “solar carpets” present a theoretical opportunity:

• Vibration and Maintenance: The intense vibrations generated by high-speed trains and the accumulation of metallic dust pose significant risks to standard solar panels.
• R&D Requirements: Utilizing these areas effectively requires further research into shock-absorbing composite materials and autonomous cleaning systems.

5. Next-Generation Tender Models and Smart Infrastructure

To realize this vision, transportation and energy projects must be handled as an integrated whole.

• Energy Clauses in Tenders: New highway tenders should mandate that the road be built with its energy infrastructure (cable conduits, transformer areas) already in place.
• EV Charging Corridors: To ensure on-site consumption of the generated energy, an ecosystem should be established where roadside panels directly power high-speed EV charging stations.

Conclusion: Energy Arteries of the Future

Equipping Turkey’s transportation networks with solar panels is a project with high economic value that causes no land loss and is environmentally friendly. With this strategy, our roads will no longer be mere asphalt strips for vehicles, but strategic “energy veins” contributing to the nation’s energy independence.

| aydintiryaki.org | YouTube | Aydın Tiryaki’nin Yazıları ve Videoları │Articles and Videos by Aydın Tiryaki | Bilgi Merkezi│Knowledge Hub  | ░ Ulaşım Ağlarından Güneş Enerjisi Hasadı │ Harvesting Solar Energy from Transportation Networks ░ 16.02.2026

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A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)