Site Assessment for Wet and Dry Concentrated Solar Power Plant Integration Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process–Geographic Information System Approach: A Case Study in the Marrakesh‐Safi Region

Abstract

Herein, a combination of a multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) technique and geographic information system (GIS) is established to identify the most appropriate sites for the installation of large‐scale concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in the Marrakech‐Safi region located in mid‐south Morocco. For this purpose, numerous criteria affecting its deployment, such as climate, orography, location, and water resources, are taken into account. As a CSP plant requires cooling for its power block cycle, wet and dry cooling options are explored to assess the suitability of the field of study to host CSP plants with both scenarios. Results reveal that 62.4% of the study area is deemed appropriate for CSP plant hosting. Moreover, 16.1% and 7.6% of the suitable surface area is evaluated as highly suitable for wet and dry cooling systems, respectively. Nevertheless, the excellent areas represent 4.5% for both scenarios.

Decision analysis related to solar farm investments based on analysis hierarchical process and fuzzy AHP for sustainable energy production

“…39,40 And lately, another work has been published recently that mentions the Marrakech Safi region with the same classical methodology of MCDM combined with GIS. 41,42 Thus, most studies in the Moroccan context did not assess the sensitivity of the parameters used to evaluate their influence on the subject and the similarity between the used methods. In addition, any validation process wasn't made, for instance placing the old solar farm projects in the study area.…”

“…Other works have dealt with the southern zone of Morocco, given its solar potential and the strategic vision of the country's investment in the region of Daraa Tafilalt 39,40 . And lately, another work has been published recently that mentions the Marrakech Safi region with the same classical methodology of MCDM combined with GIS 41,42 . Thus, most studies in the Moroccan context did not assess the sensitivity of the parameters used to evaluate their influence on the subject and the similarity between the used methods.…”