Environmental and socio-economic impact comparison of solar and hydroelectric systems

In this study, the environmental, economic, and social impacts of two renewable energy projects with the same installed capacity—Cardakli Hydropower Plant and Ekinozu Solar Power Plant, both located in Elazig Province, Turkey—were compared using real-case data. The projects were evaluated based on investment costs, energy output, operational efficiency, carbon footprint, and water usage. Key numerical findings include: annual energy production of 38.6 GWh for HEPP and 26.28 GWh for SPP, initial investment costs of $19.5 million (HEPP) and $9.75 million (SPP), and payback periods of 9.22 years for HEPP vs. 3.72 years for SPP. In terms of resource usage, HEPP consumes 191,544 m³ water annually, while SPP requires only 8,672 m³. Carbon emission intensity was calculated as 9 gCO₂/kWh for HEPP and 98–167 gCO₂/kWh for SPP. Based on these results, the solar power project was found to be more advantageous in terms of investment return, environmental impact, and sustainability, although hydropower produces more energy annually. This comparative evaluation contributes to the literature by integrating real operational data into feasibility analysis and offering insight for renewable energy planning in emerging economies.