A CRITIC–TOPSIS Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimum Site Selection for Solar PV Farm

This research work proposes a new hybrid framework to assess suitable sites and technical potentials for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems by integrating two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The evaluation of sites for PV plants was performed using the MCDM method, taking...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energies (Basel) 2023-05, Vol.16 (10), p.4245
Main Authors: Hassan, Imad, Alhamrouni, Ibrahim, Azhan, Nurul Hanis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative energy sources
Analysis
Climate change
CRITIC
Decision making
Emissions
Green technology
Industrial locations
multi-criteria decision making
Multiple criterion
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaics
Power plants
PV system
Radiation
Rankings
Sensitivity analysis
Site selection
Solar energy
Solar power
Solar power plants
Solar radiation
sustainable cities
TOPSIS
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Summary:This research work proposes a new hybrid framework to assess suitable sites and technical potentials for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems by integrating two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The evaluation of sites for PV plants was performed using the MCDM method, taking into account a wide range of variables, including climate, technical, geographical, and economic variables, with factor weights determined using the CRITIC technique. Five Saudi Arabian cities with abundant solar radiation served as illustrations of this study’s framework. For classification, the TOPSIS method was employed to rank the five alternatives. The results show that Riyadh is ranked first with a performance score of 72%, followed by Jeddah with a performance score of 65%, and the remaining three cities, namely, Al Ahsa, Dammam, and Abha scored less than 50%. Lastly, the reliability and robustness of the results obtained were examined using sensitivity analysis. The findings of this study can be used to pinpoint possible places that could be used to build solar power plants and to promote the expansion of generating facilities and electrical grids.
ISSN:1996-1073
1996-1073
DOI:10.3390/en16104245