A Regional GIS-Assisted Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Site-Suitability for the Development of Solar Farms

Abstract

One of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources is solar energy. A strategic step for a well-performing solar project is site identification. The evaluation of site-suitability is a complex task, where multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria, inherent to the territory, are involved. In this study, a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology for site-suitability evaluation in the development of solar farms (DSF) is presented. Two scenarios, the ranking method (RM) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), each representing a different weighting approach, were tested. A case study was performed for the Desert of Chihuahua, Mexico, a region with the potential to provide a significant portion of the country’s energy demand. The RM was more stringent and identified less area with high suitability (1237 km2) compared to the AHP (4983 km2). Given its flexibility in assigning weights, the AHP is considered to have greater potential in identifying site-suitability levels. The final suitability maps of the AHP showed the northern part of the study region to have high suitability for the DSF. Thus, sites in this area could be used for the construction of solar energy projects in the future. This methodology provides a useful tool for land-use planning based on its suitability level.

Land Management in Territorial Planning: Analysis, Appraisal, Strategies for Sustainability—A Review of Studies and Research

“…The article "A Regional GIS-Assisted Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Site-Suitability for the Development of Solar Farms" by Prieto-Amparán et al [3] proposes an evaluation model for the suitability of sites suitable for hosting solar farms (DSF) using a GIS-based multicriteria decision-making methodology (MCDM), which is presented for site suitability assessment using quantitative and qualitative criteria, using analytic hierarchy process and ranking methods.…”

Application of Ahp and Gis for Optimal Solar Site Identification in Madhesh Province, Nepal

“…The criteria for the selection of an optimal site for solar PV power plants must include all the factors. Several studies have considered criteria for evaluation (Uyan, 2013;Prieto-Amparán, et al, 2021;Albraheem & Alabdulkarim, 2021;Gašparović & Gašparović, 2019;Arán Carrión, et al, 2008). They all had common criteria of slope, irradiation, land use, distance from the road, distance from an urban area, and distance from power lines.…”

Site Selection of Offshore Solar Farm Deployment in the Aegean Sea, Greece

“…Considering the MCDM methods that have been widely applied, Ilbahar et al [20] noted that there is a distinct upward trend in the utilization of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for renewable energy exploitation, followed by ELimination Et Choice Translating REality (ELECTRE), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and other MCDM methods such as VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje), PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment of Evaluations), data envelopment analysis, conjoint analysis, etc. Most recent publications of the two frequently used MCDM methods on onshore solar farm siting problems include AHP (e.g., [21][22][23][24][25][26]) and TOPSIS (e.g., [27,28]).…”