In a new residential project, it is no longer sufficient to discuss only square footage, facade, parking, or social areas.
For this, energy production and targets to reduce common area consumption are important.
Furthermore, how the residential complex solar power plant (GES) will manage the energy needs of electric vehicles in the future is becoming a significant part of the project.
As of January 1, 2025, buildings with a construction area of 2,000 m² and above must be built within the scope of residential complex solar power plants (GES) in accordance with the Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NSEB) concept.
Additionally, the energy performance class must be B or better, and the building’s primary energy demand must be met by renewable energy.
Moreover, Solar Power Plants (GES) are one of the most crucial solutions that can be used as residential complex solar power plants (GES) to meet this need.
However, for us, the issue is not merely to meet the ratio specified in the regulations.
With proper engineering, a system installed today due to regulatory requirements can reduce common expenses tomorrow. Furthermore, the residential complex solar power plant (GES) can charge electric vehicles and transform into a true energy infrastructure that elevates the building’s standard of living.
Solar Power Plants (GES) in Residential Complexes: Not Just a Requirement, but an Opportunity
As Reltek Energy, in the residential complex solar power plant (GES) applications we implement, we do not view the system merely as solar panels placed on the roof.
The roof of a residential complex is actually a valuable area that can produce energy for years.
A GES designed with the correct capacity can cover all or a significant portion of the residential complex’s common area electricity consumption.
Specifically:
- elevators,
- hydrophores,
- stair and corridor lighting,
- indoor and outdoor parking lighting,
- garden and perimeter lighting,
- security and camera systems,
- residential complex management areas,
- social facilities,
- other common area electricity consumption
constitute recurring monthly electricity expenses for residential complex managements.
Thanks to the GES, the energy produced during the day can be used to meet these consumptions.
Thus, the necessary renewable energy investment transforms into a system that provides economic benefits to residents for years.
At Least Let the Sun Power Your Elevator and Common Areas
In multi-story and multi-block residential projects, common area electricity consumption should not be underestimated.
Elevators are running.
Hydrophores are operating.
Parking lots and common areas are illuminated.
Security and camera systems consume energy 24 hours a day.
The electricity bill for all of these is reflected in the residents’ common expenses each month.
Instead of leaving the roof unused for energy production when it is suitable, it is possible to utilize it with a properly designed GES.
The goal here is not to place as many panels as possible on the roof.
Proper engineering means installing the right system by evaluating the building’s consumption, roof area, sun exposure conditions, electrical infrastructure, and future needs together.
Consider the Solar PV System During the Project Phase, Not After Construction
Planning the GES during the project phase in new residential projects provides significant advantages.
Roof panel layouts, static suitability, inverter locations, electrical shafts, AC and DC cable routes, main distribution panels, meter infrastructure, and connection points can be properly prepared while the building is still under construction.
This way, the GES ceases to be equipment added later to the building and becomes an integral part of the building’s electrical infrastructure.
Proper engineering done today is far more valuable than re-cabling, changing panels, or expanding transformer or electrical infrastructure tomorrow.
Installation of GES Does Not Mean the Job is Done
One of the significant problems we encounter in new residential projects is the misconception that physical GES installation and the official acceptance and commissioning of the facility are the same thing.
Panels may have been mounted on the roof.
Inverters may have been installed.
Cables may have been laid.
The system may even be technically ready to produce electricity.
However, none of these alone mean that the GES process is complete.
The facility must be installed in accordance with its approved project, necessary tests must be performed, its acceptance by the authorized institution, and the connection, metering, and commissioning processes with the relevant distribution company must be completed.
The Contractor Handed Over the Residential Complex to Management, But Was the GES Accepted?
Especially in new residential projects, after construction is completed, the GES, along with the common areas, can be handed over to the residential complex management.
When the new management sees the panels on the roof, they might naturally assume the system is complete.
However, there is a question that residential complex management must ask:
“Has the acceptance of this GES been completed?”
Then;
“Have the EDAŞ connection, metering, and commissioning procedures been completed?”
should be asked.
A physically installed facility and an electricity generation facility accepted and commissioned in accordance with regulations are not the same thing.
Operating a production facility in parallel with the grid without completed acceptance and grid processes can lead to connection and energization problems, procedures with the distribution company, and financial consequences, depending on the specific situation of the facility.
Therefore;
“The GES is already installed, we’ll get it accepted later.”
this approach is incorrect.
A GES investment is truly ready for operation not just with panel and inverter installation, but when the acceptance and grid processes are completed.
When Taking Over Residential Complex Management, Also Take Over the GES File
When taking over a new residential complex management, it is not enough to only receive the physical handover of the building and common areas.
If there is a GES on the roof, the technical and official file of the facility must also be handed over to the management.
Residential complex management must receive:
- approved GES projects,
- documents related to the connection,
- acceptance reports,
- metering and commissioning documents,
- panel and inverter documentation,
- warranty certificates,
- test records,
- monitoring system access,
- maintenance and operation documents.
must be received.
Because a GES is an electricity generation facility expected to operate for decades after the building’s handover.
Today Common Areas, Tomorrow Electric Vehicles
Today, when we talk about a residential complex’s energy consumption, we discuss elevators, hydrophores, and common area lighting.
However, in the very near future, a much more significant item will be added to these consumptions:
Electric vehicle charging stations.
With the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure in residential complex parking lots is no longer an option but is becoming one of the expected standards in residential projects.
Charging a few electric vehicles in a residential complex and charging dozens of vehicles at the same time do not require the same electrical infrastructure.
Therefore, in a new residential project, it is not enough to only look at today’s electricity needs.
GES + Electric Vehicle Charging + Energy Management Must Be Considered Together
When designing the residential complex of the future;
GES production + common area consumption + electric vehicle charging stations + transformer and connection capacity + load management + energy storage infrastructure
must be evaluated together.
In a properly modeled system, the energy produced from solar can primarily be utilized for the building’s needs, common area consumption can be met, and with appropriate energy management, electric vehicles can be charged according to production and facility capacity.
If the addition of energy storage systems is considered for the future, its electrical and physical infrastructure can be prepared during the project phase.
But if these projects are not properly modeled today, you may not achieve the expected benefits from your solar energy and new energy technologies tomorrow.
Proper engineering means not only reducing today’s electricity bill but also preparing the building for tomorrow’s energy system.
Proper Engineering Elevates the Standard of Living
The engineering decisions made today in a residential project determine the infrastructure that the people living in that building will use for the next 20-30 years.
In a properly designed structure;
GES produces energy.
Common areas benefit from this energy.
Electric vehicles are charged in a controlled manner.
The energy management system monitors production and consumption.
Energy storage can be integrated into the system when needed.
Thus, the building ceases to be merely a structure that consumes electricity.
It transforms into a living space that produces and manages a portion of its own energy and is prepared for future energy needs.
This is not just about savings.
This is a new level in the standard of living.
The Questions Asked When Buying a Home Will Change Tomorrow
Today, when buying a house, we ask questions like:
“Which way does the balcony face?”
“Does it overlook the garden?”
“Does it get sun?”
“What’s its facade like?”
we ask.
In the near future, other questions will be added to these:
Does this building have a GES?
How much of its common area electricity does it produce itself?
Can I charge my electric vehicle in my own parking lot?
Is charging infrastructure prepared for each apartment?
Is the building’s electrical infrastructure sufficient for this?
Does it have an energy management system?
Can a battery be added in the future?
Because energy infrastructure is no longer just a few electrical panels in a technical room.
It is part of the comfort, operating cost, and future readiness of the residence.
What Matters is Not the Sun Seeing Your Home, But Your Home Having the Sun
For years, when choosing a home, we’ve asked, “Does it get sun?”
Now it’s time to take this question a step further.
It’s nice for the sun to see your home.
But in the home of the future, the real value is your home having the sun.
Structures that convert the sun on their roofs into electricity, power their elevators and common areas, prepare to charge electric vehicles, and intelligently manage their energy will be an important part of the new generation housing concept.
Future-Ready Residential Projects with Reltek Energy
As Reltek Energy, we do not consider GES in residential and complex projects merely as panel installation.
We approach project design, GES implementation, electrical infrastructure, connection processes, testing and commissioning, acceptance procedures, SCADA, and energy management processes as a whole.
By transferring our field experience from the residential complex GES applications we have carried out to new projects, our goal is not only to meet today’s regulatory requirements;
but to create the residential infrastructure of the future that reduces common area expenses, is ready for electric vehicle transformation, and produces and manages its own energy.
You can contact Reltek Energy for GES applications in your new building projects of 2,000 m² and above or in your existing residential complexes.
Reltek Energy
Solar Energy Systems • EPC • Project Design • Acceptance Procedures • SCADA • Energy Management