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Comparative Multicriteria Analysis Methods for Ranking Sites for Solar Farm Deployment: A Case Study in Greece

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  • Dimitra G. Vagiona

    (Department of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

This study investigated the prioritization and ranking problem of the appropriate locations at which to deploy solar photovoltaic (PV) farms. Although different Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods can be found in the literature to address this problem, a comparative analysis of those methods is missing. The aim of this study is to compare four different MCDM approaches to evaluate and rank suitable areas for the deployment of solar PV farms, with the island of Rhodes (Greece) being used as an example. Feasible areas for the location of such facilities were identified with the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), by applying certain exclusion criteria found either in the national legislative framework or in the international literature. Data were obtained from Greek open geospatial data. The feasible sites were evaluated and ranked using four different MCDM methods: the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje), and the PROMETHEE II (Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment of Evaluations) method. The best alternative rated according to three TOPSIS, VIKOR and PROMETHEE is site (S2). The second-best alternative in the above three methods is site (S1), while the worst is site (S3). The best alternative rated according to AHP (S4) is in sixth position according to TOPSIS and in fifth position VIKOR and PROMETHEE. The comparison demonstrated that different MCDM techniques may generate different ranks. The simultaneous use of several MCDM methods in energy siting problems is considered advantageous as it can help decision makers to select the most sustainable sites, avoiding the disadvantages and availing the advantages of each method.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitra G. Vagiona, 2021. "Comparative Multicriteria Analysis Methods for Ranking Sites for Solar Farm Deployment: A Case Study in Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8371-:d:700560
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    4. Fakharizadehshirazi, Elham & Rösch, Christine, 2024. "A novel socio-techno-environmental GIS approach to assess the contribution of ground-mounted photovoltaics to achieve climate neutrality in Germany," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    5. José Eduardo Tafula & Constantino Dário Justo & Pedro Moura & Jérôme Mendes & Ana Soares, 2023. "Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach for Optimum Site Selection for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Microgrids in Mozambique," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-41, March.
    6. Tariq Muneer & Mehreen Saleem Gul & Marzia Alam, 2022. "Modelling of a Large Solar PV Facility: England’s Mallard Solar Farm Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    7. Chalaye, Pierrick & Sturmberg, Bjorn & Ransan-Cooper, Hedda & Lucas-Healey, Kathryn & Russell, A. Wendy & Hendriks, Johannes & Hansen, Paula & O'Neill, Matthew & Crowfoot, Warwick & Shorten, Phil, 2023. "Does site selection need to be democratized? A case study of grid-tied microgrids in Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    8. Sekeroglu, Ahmet & Erol, Demet, 2023. "Site selection modeling of hybrid renewable energy facilities using suitability index in spatial planning," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    9. Hendrik & Yin Yuan & Akhmad Fauzi & Widiatmaka & Dyah Tjahyandari Suryaningtyas & Florentinus Firdiyono & Yang Yao, 2022. "Determination of the Red Mud Industrial Cluster Sites in Indonesia Based on Sustainability Aspect and Waste Management Analysis through PROMETHEE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-13, July.
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    11. Małgorzata Łatuszyńska & Kesra Nermend, 2022. "Energy Decision Making: Problems, Methods, and Tools—An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-5, July.

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