A multicriteria proposal for large-scale solar photovoltaic impact assessment

Large-scale photovoltaic (LSPV) may cause significant changes in the environment and lead to detrimental impacts on the natural and anthropic environments. First, this paper reviews the scholarly literature to collect data regarding the different environmental impacts occurring during LSPV installat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Impact assessment and project appraisal 2020-01, Vol.38 (1), p.3-15
Main Authors: Pimentel Da Silva, Gardenio Diogo, Magrini, Alessandra, Branco, David Alves Castelo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
Data collection
Economic factors
EIA quality
Environmental assessment
Environmental impact assessment
Impact analysis
Installation
large-scale solar PV
Licensing
Literature reviews
multicriteria method
Multiple criterion
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaics
Social factors
Socioeconomic factors
terrestrial and floating photovoltaic
Terrestrial environments
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Summary:Large-scale photovoltaic (LSPV) may cause significant changes in the environment and lead to detrimental impacts on the natural and anthropic environments. First, this paper reviews the scholarly literature to collect data regarding the different environmental impacts occurring during LSPV installation and operation. Secondly, methods used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for LSPV are evaluated through a sample of 20 EIAs. This shows that there are flaws in the methodology used in the EIAs that support environmental licensing of LSPV. In this context, this work proposes a multicriteria approach that aims to convey the main environmental and socio-economic aspects of LSPV and assess impact magnitude and importance. The method is built on the needs to improve EIA for the licensing of solar projects in Brazil. The model offers a structured approach that incorporates detailed criteria that reflect direct and indirect impacts of both terrestrial and floating PV and is designed to provide the assessment magnitude and estimate scenarios according to different stakeholder's views.
ISSN:1461-5517
1471-5465
DOI:10.1080/14615517.2019.1604938