GIS-based photovoltaic solar farms site selection using ELECTRE-TRI: Evaluating the case for Torre Pacheco, Murcia, Southeast of Spain

The Region of Murcia has one of the highest percentages of potential solar radiation in Spain, which puts it in an excellent position to host electricity generation plants through photovoltaic solar systems, commonly known as solar farms. This paper proposes the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to identify the best plots suitable for installing photovoltaic solar farms in the Municipality of Torre Pacheco, in the southeast of Spain. The plots are classified according to multiple evaluation aspects, by developing a multicriteria model and applying the ELECTRE-TRI method using the Decision Support System IRIS. The combination of GIS and IRIS offers the user the possibility of using the information provided by the GIS mapping leading to an assignment of the feasible courses of action (the plots) to categories of merit according to multiple, conflicting and incommensurate evaluation criteria. The GIS provides a cartographic and alphanumeric database, including two factors of distinct nature: restrictions and criteria. The restrictions are entered into the GIS using layers defined from the current legislation (urban land, undeveloped land, special protection areas for birds, community sites, infrastructures, etc.), which reduce the study area by eliminating those areas in which photovoltaic solar farms cannot be implemented. The criteria are organized into a tree to be used for assessing the greater or lesser capacity to install photovoltaic solar farms. These criteria are introduced into the GIS, taking into account weather, environmental, location, and terrain evaluation aspects. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.