Comparison of coal-fired thermal power plants and PV solar powerplants in terms of carbon emissions

In this thesis study, the emission rates and environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal power plants and photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants were comparatively analyzed. The main objective of the study is to identify the differences in greenhouse gas emissions between these two energy generation technologies and to evaluate their implications for sustainable energy policies. The base year of the analysis was set as 2024, considering the operational stage for the coal plant and the installation stage for the PV system. The methodology was based on the IPCC (2006) Guidelines, the GHG Protocol, and the MRV Regulation of the Republic of Türkiye's Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Emission factors were derived from DEFRA (2023), ETKB-EVÇED (2024), and Ecoinvent (2022) datasets. Emissions were classified into direct (Category 1) and indirect (Categories 2, 3, and 5) sources according to international reporting standards. Results indicate that the total emissions from the coal-fired power plant amount to 1,221.5 tCO₂-eq, whereas the PV solar power plant produces 167.67 tCO₂-eq. This significant difference arises mainly from the direct combustion of fossil fuels in coal-based systems, which dominate total emissions. In contrast, PV systems generate minimal emissions during installation and operate with nearly zero direct emissions during their lifetime, supporting carbon-neutral energy goals. These findings emphasize that, considering Türkiye's high solar potential, expanding PV investments plays a crucial role in national carbon reduction and sustainable development strategies.