Renewable Energy Literature in Turkey: Mapping Analysis of the Field and Future Study Suggestions on Overlooked Issues

Abstract

The fact that the fossil-based energy sources used until today are in danger of being depleted very shortly, the rapid increase in energy prices in the world, and the environmental problems that emerged, made it necessary for all humanity and our country to turn to renewable clean energy sources. Studies aiming to encourage and facilitate the transition of producers and consumers to renewable energy sources have made significant contributions to the literature. In this study, published articles on renewable energy sources in Turkey were analysed and academic studies on the subject were systematically organized with a holistic perspective. The bibliometric and thematic analysis of 7161 studies on renewable energy resources and 603 studies, in which the evaluation of renewable energy sources from a social standpoint is conducted and published in the Web of Science database from Turkey reveals the citation network of international and national co-authors. The thematic analysis makes it possible to draw attention to overlooked issues by allowing us to identify the focus of academic activities on renewable energy sources. Therefore, the results of the study can provide an interdisciplinary and research-oriented perspective on renewable energy sources. Focusing on green energy from a social perspective can be beneficial in terms of increasing awareness and accelerating the adoption process.