Investigation of the electricity generation potentials from solar energy in the conversion of fuel stations and parking lots into electric vehicle charging stations in the Erzurum province

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have been increasing in recent years due to improving technology and falling costs, and charging infrastructure. Converting petrol stations to EV charging stations can be a way to meet the growing demand for EV charging and support the transition to electric transportation. Roofs of petrol stations are suitable areas for electricity generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. The transformation of petrol stations into EV charging stations can help reduce the carbon footprint of EVs. In this thesis, firstly the quantitative situation of the electric vehicle charging station infrastructure on the basis of provinces in Turkey for 2020 and 2021 have been determined. Then, the electricity generation potential from solar energy of the petrol stations and parking garages through rooftop PV panels in the central district of Erzurum have been calculated by PVGIS and Helioscope programs. The contribution of PV systems to the charging of EVs under various scenarios has been analysed. Finally, economic and technical analyses have been carried out by HOMERgrid simulation tool. It has been found that the total roof area of petrol stations is 22,446 m2, with an annual energy production potential of 5,955.3 MWh. The total roof area of parking garages is 3,787 m2, with an annual energy production potential of 1,015.4 MWh. This thesis is the first of its kind in Turkey as of the date of publication. It is expected that the analyses and implemented methods will contribute to the literature and this study will be a reference for future studies.