Solar PV Power Plant Site Selection Using AHP Model and GIS Techniques (A Case Study of Andimeshk City, Iran)

Optimum site selection for a solar power plant according to the opinion of connoisseur experts using multi-criteria decision making models and in GIS environment can play a significant role in the expansion of sustainable development. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the suitability of lands for the construction of a solar power plant using AHP model, remote sensing resources and GIS techniques in Andimshek city located in Khuzestan province, Islamic Republic of Iran. For this purpose, 12 criteria that were important from economic, environmental and security aspects were weighted by AHP model, then linearly standardized in the GIS environment and finally combined weighted linearly together (WLC). The results indicated 8.68% (4933.72 hectares) of the study area have an excellent degree of suitability for constructing of a solar power plant. These lands are mainly located near of Andimeshk city. Also, the results indicated the distance from industrial/military regions and the distance from the railway network have the most positive and negative correlation with the suitability map of the solar power plant, respectively.