Solar panels on a mosque

Residents of Buyukeceli, a Turkish village have made their mind to set up a solar panel to show how renewable energy can be used as an alternative to the nuclear power plant which was in conflict. However, finally they have decided to install the green electricity power on to a school, but they did not receive permission from the government. Instead of school they received permission to try it out on the village mosque.

A 70 yr old headman of the village, Kemal Budak said their youngsters went from the village to the neighboring cities such as Mersin, Antalya, Silifke expecting that nuclear power will be set up here. He said that their state never wanted to fund in tourism or farming and they are struggling as they have no idea about their future or they don’t want their children to tell one day they have left them helpless in a dumpsite. A group called The Sun is rising in Akkuyu helped the villagers to set up the solar panels including some volunteers from Greenpeace.

Greenpeace have additionally supported by donating the solar system within ten days which is of 2.25 kilowatt capacity and can power the entire mosque in Buyukeceli which will also transfer the electricity to the grid even though it cannot get any money from this as there is no legal regulation available in Turkey for it. After the installation of the solar panel the villagers celebrated this occasion by drinking orange juice made using the electricity generated by latest solar panels.

The country is expected to receive its first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu located in southern turkey as the Turkish Parliament has given the permission for its construction. The installed solar panels on the mosque will be first for Turkey as most of the Muslims in the world are involved in environmental issues. The European Parliament conducted a panel earlier this month about Islam and environment advising European Muslims to involve in the green debate and turn the strong theology on saving the environment in the Quran into action.