GIS-Based Approach for Determining Optimal Solar PV Farm Locations in Erbil City Using the ASR and MCDM Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23918/eajse.v11i2p3Keywords:
Solar PV Farm, Renewable Energy, GIS, Area Solar Radiation (ASR), Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Erbil CityAbstract
The increasing demand for clean energy sources has driven widespread studies to find the best locations for solar photovoltaic farms. Finding appropriate locations presents challenges due to environmental and technical factors. This study determines the optimal locations for solar PV farm installation in Erbil City using the Area Solar Radiation (ASR) tool in ArcGIS Pro 3.1.5 combined with multicriteria decision-making analysis. This study represents the first application of the ASR tool in this region to enhance solar insolation assessments by incorporating atmospheric parameters, terrain characteristics, and environmental variables. An analytical hierarchy process weighs the criteria and computes a land suitability index. Nine critical criteria were utilized: area solar radiation, land use land cover, slope, proximity to transmission lines and roads, distances to urban and rural areas, soil types, and temperature. The ASR tool calculates the solar insolation across the study area, with the Average ASR for Erbil City at 1,306,742 Wh/m² annually. Thematic maps and a pairwise comparison matrix assign weights to each criterion, creating a comprehensive suitability index. The study revealed that solar development can occur in 60.89% of the area, mainly in Erbil's western region, but remains restricted to 39.11% of the area. A small segment (6.24% or 169.92 km²) is the most suitable and is capable of producing more than 10,000 MW of clean power. While providing important data to legislators and investors to forward sustainable energy policies and lower reliance on fossil fuels, the results show great chances for the development of solar power.
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