Solar desalination plant site suitability through composing decision-making systems and fuzzy logic in Iran (using the desert areas approach)

Freshwater resources represent around 3% of all water on Earth, and less than 1% of that is available. Considering current conditions, as well as future predictions of need, freshwater resources cannot meet human needs. Thus, sweetening of the brackish water can be performed to provide freshwater for human use. Solar energy, because of Iran''s climatic conditions, may be used for sweetening the brackish water. The objective of this study was to survey the lands using groundwater resources for the installation of solar desalinations. According to the goal, criteria and indicators were identified by the analyses of previous studies’ data, Delphi method and the internal structure of measurements and indicators determined using the DEMATEL technique. Then, indicators were weighted using the analytic network process (ANP) method, and indicators’ suitable membership functions were defined using fuzzy logic. Indicators have been combined by the means of minimum function. Eventually, the areas were classified into four classes. The results showed that among 250 scope studies, 20 scopes have been put in class one, and these are located in five provinces. The results also indicated that among the provinces of Iran, Yazd is located in an area with the highest percentage of class one, and is ranked first. Comparisons of the obtained results with the climatic conditions of Iran confirmed the results.