Social, Economic and Environmental Research (SolarSEED)

About

The Social, Economic and Environmental Research (SolarSEED) Division at ODTÜ-GÜNAM conducts research on socio-economic impacts and policy, environmental impacts, techno-economic assessment, and social acceptance in the fields of solar energy systems and PV integration. Within this scope, the Division develops business models aligned with industrial and societal structures, national and international development objectives, and relevant regulatory frameworks; examines the dynamics of social acceptance; and contributes to public- and private-sector projects in these areas.

Recognizing that innovations in solar energy drive not only technological transformation but also broader societal change within the energy transition, the Division’s core vision is to develop social innovation solutions around solar energy technologies that enhance societal well-being while generating environmental and climate benefits.

Research Areas and Expertise

SolarSEED’s main research areas are Technology Policy, Technology Assessment and Impact Analysis, and Innovation Ecosystems and Stakeholder Engagement Research. Within these areas, the Division’s core competencies include techno-economic assessment, social and economic impact assessment, environmental impact analysis such as LCA, LCC, and carbon accounting, sustainability performance analysis, and institutional impact assessment. Social acceptance research, as well as business models and financing mechanisms focused on social innovation, also constitute important areas of activity.

A key objective of the Division is to investigate the socio-economic and environmental impacts of R&D and technological development activities carried out within ODTÜ-GÜNAM, with particular emphasis on their scientific and technological impacts. These include indicators of technology diffusion and transfer, such as patents, spin-offs, and related outcomes within the fields of innovation, knowledge, and industrial economics.

Integrated social, economic, and environmental analyses form the basis of sustainability performance assessment. Environmental analyses rely on key technical approaches such as life-cycle assessment, efficient use of natural resources, carbon footprint reduction, climate change mitigation, and circular economy performance. When combined with financial analyses, these studies also extend to global carbon markets.

At the national level, environmental assessment is expected to play an increasingly important role in technology policy within the framework of green finance strategies, emissions trading system targets, and carbon border adjustment mechanisms. Accordingly, these areas of activity are important for developing policies that enable the solar energy industry to benefit from innovative financing opportunities while minimizing exposure to restrictive international trade regulations.

Another key objective of SolarSEED is to establish an ecosystem network and stakeholder engagement framework representing all actors across the knowledge, value, and supply chains of the solar energy sector, together with broader societal stakeholders, and to foster structured policy dialogue.

Identifying societal needs within this ecosystem is a central strategic priority. To support the development of solution-oriented policies and implementation frameworks, while also facilitating behavioral transformation aligned with the energy transition, SolarSEED conducts field studies using both qualitative and quantitative methods based on the ecosystem maps it develops.