A framework for GIS-based site selection and technical potential evaluation of PV solar farm using Fuzzy-Boolean logic and AHP multi-criteria decision-making approach

Electricity demand is increasing mainly due to population expansion and the continuous supply of electricity in the residential, industrial, and service sectors. This energy is a critical factor of economic growth, and clean energy resources must be utilized and substituted to reduce the effects of climate change and move toward sustainable development. Site selection and construction of renewable power plants help to diversify the country's energy basket. This study aims to locate and evaluate a photovoltaic solar power plant's potential in Khuzestan province, using Fuzzy-Boolean logic and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) decision analysis based on GIS. The main criteria for selecting the optimal locations include climatic (annual horizontal solar irradiance, sunshine hours, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed), economic (the proximity to roads, transmission lines, substations, urban areas, and villages), orography (slope, orientation, and altitude) and the environment (land use). According to the results, 0.12% of the province's total area has excellent suitability, 25.66% has suitable suitability, and 59.46% lacks any suitability for installing a photovoltaic system. The annual electric power generation potential using single-crystalline silicon panels and polycrystalline silicon panels is calculated as 3189.54 and 2453.49 TWh, respectively. Izeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, and Bagh-e Malek cities are the most suitable areas for photovoltaic solar farms in the province.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study uses Fuzzy-Boolean logic and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) decision analysis based on GIS to locate and evaluate the potential of a photovoltaic solar power plant in Khuzestan province. The optimal locations are selected based on criteria such as climate, economy, topography, and environment. The results show that only a small percentage of the province's total area is suitable for installing a photovoltaic system. The study also calculates the annual power generation potential using different types of silicon panels and identifies the most suitable areas in the province.