Kalyon is a Business Reporter client
Ahead of UN Habitat’s World Youth Environment Day in June 2024, Kalyon PV continues to consolidate its position as a global leader in renewable energy. Held at the Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant in Konya, Turkey, under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Together”, the event highlighted the critical synergy between the public and private sectors in fostering sustainability, scaling up renewable energy solutions and empowering young people to drive global change.
Kalyon PV, a leading solar panel supplier, plays a crucial role in supporting the operation of the Kalyon Karapınar solar power plant, which is the largest in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. While Kalyon PV specializes exclusively in solar technology, Kalyon Energy drives innovation across a broader spectrum, including solar, wind and hydropower. This comprehensive approach reflects Kalyon Energy’s commitment to promoting a sustainable future powered by clean, renewable resources.
The event also highlighted Kalyon’s dedication to inclusion and education. Connecting the global community at its Ankara-based factories on June 4, Kalyon provided professionals and decision-makers with hands-on learning experiences in solar panel production, highlighting the company’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive future from the ground up. Despite the historical underrepresentation of women in Turkey in executive positions, Kalyon demonstrated its commitment to gender inclusion by featuring female leaders, including chief engineers and a chief sustainability officer, as key figures in driving the company’s sustainability agenda.
Reflecting on the event, Kalyon PV CEO Ersan Tufekci highlighted the critical importance of scalable renewable energy solutions. “The future is solar… We aim to demonstrate the global connectivity of energy, which is transferable and transmissible. By investing in young people and sustainable practices, we are paving the way to a cleaner and greener future,” he said.
Kalyon’s flagship projects, such as the integration of solar panels at Istanbul Airport and its 100% domestic production of solar panels, exemplify its innovative approach to renewable energy. Today, the Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant covers an area of 20 million square meters with over 3.5 million panels and provides nearly 3% of Turkey’s electricity – a remarkable achievement compared to other global solar energy leaders.
Furthermore, Kalyon’s decision to reject the use of solar panels manufactured in China (a standard practice for many global companies) reinforces its commitment to local solutions. This approach allows Kalyon to maintain full control over production quality and sustainability standards, ensuring that each panel meets the most exacting standards.
Omer Kotan, Kalyon’s Chief Sustainability Officer, reiterated the company’s long-term vision: “We see our company as the global sustainability production hub. Our renewable energy efforts not only capture emissions, but also pioneer new methods of sustainability.” This vision includes transforming arid lands into renewable energy hubs and advancing global energy trade.
Looking ahead, Kalyon remains committed to empowering world leaders with the knowledge, insights and strategic roadmaps needed for a successful transition to renewable energy. As a global model of sustainable success, Kalyon continues to offer practical recommendations for the future of energy trading and the vital goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Kalyon’s participation in the United Nations World Youth Environment Day 2024 is a testament to its commitment to scalable and innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
About Kalyon
Kalyon is a Turkish construction company that has been a leader in renewable energy solutions since 1944. With a robust research and development program, Kalyon is dedicated to innovating technologies that reduce global emissions and promote sustainability.
About UN-Habitat
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) works in 90 countries to promote sustainable urban development. The organization works with partners to drive transformative change and action, and for the period 2023-2025 the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is comprised of 17 sustainable urban development advocates.
