An integrated GIS-based Ordered Weighted Averaging analysis for solar energy evaluation in Iran: Current conditions and future planning

Solar energy is one of the important energy sources and countries have realized the important role of renewable energies due to the depletion of conventional energy sources. In this study, a GIS-based analysis is utilized for investigating the feasibility of solar energy in Iran. To evaluate the concept of risk into the GIS-based analysis for determining optimal areas for installation of solar power plants an Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) approach is used for the first time. Integration of OWA-based approach and GIS analysis provide models that determine the priority of regions from risk-free decision to risky decision strategies. The results show that Kerman, Yazd, Fars, Khuzestan, Sistan and Baluchistan, South Khorasan and Isfahan provinces have a good capacity to invest in solar energy projects. The GIS-based analysis indicates that the values of installed solar power plants percentages in high chosen areas for the most pessimistic and optimistic strategies are 7% and 64%, respectively. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd.