IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i18p6693-d913579.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimising Photovoltaic Farm Location Using a Capabilities Matrix and GIS

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Maria Kowalczyk

    (Department of Geodesy, Institute of Geodesy and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Szymon Czyża

    (Department of Geoinformation and Cartography, Institute of Geodesy and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-724 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

Renewable energy sources provide an important solution in environmental protection activities and in the process of shaping sustainable development. The search for optimal locations enabling full exploitation of the energy intensity of real estate presents a significant challenge in terms of geoinformation analysis methods in a GIS environment. The aim of the study was to develop a capabilities matrix for the location of photovoltaic farms and, based on this, to compile a map of decision alternatives for these locations. The first stage involved the determination of the spatial features (stimulants and destimulants), which were significant in the context of photovoltaic (PV) farm location. During the analysis, the scope of the necessary data and their sources, which included topographic vector studies, aerial images, and the OpenStreetMap open data, were determined. The next stage was to determine the weights of the features which were significant in the context of photovoltaic (PV) farm location. To this end, the Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) method, including the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, was employed. For the verification of the results, the entropy measure was also used. Entropy was calculated based on the diversity of previously identified geospatial features that shape the optimum conditions for their location, based on the photovoltaic farms already existing in Poland. A total of 555 photovoltaic farms were analysed. The next stage assumed the performance of geoinformation analyses using GIS tools and the development of a capabilities matrix for the PV farm location for the selected commune in Poland. The final stage involved the compilation of a PV decision alternative map for the selected commune based on the capabilities matrix. As a result, as an example, a ranking of plots was developed as decision-making alternatives for the municipality of Czarnia located in the northeastern part of Poland. It shows which parcels of land primarily have the dimension of spatial features that are favourable for the location of PV. More than 6900 parcels were analysed, in which 176 presented the highest value of the index of optimal PV location generated using the AHP method. This method provides a basis for further work by identifying optimal locations taking into account existing spatial conditions. The analyses carried out can be an important document in the future for spatial management, in particular for the location of new PV farms. As a continuation of the research, the authors will work on expanding the scope of the analyses and automating the entire process.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Maria Kowalczyk & Szymon Czyża, 2022. "Optimising Photovoltaic Farm Location Using a Capabilities Matrix and GIS," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-32, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:18:p:6693-:d:913579
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/18/6693/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/18/6693/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas L. Saaty & Luis G. Vargas, 2012. "The Seven Pillars of the Analytic Hierarchy Process," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Models, Methods, Concepts & Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, edition 2, chapter 0, pages 23-40, Springer.
    2. Janke, Jason R., 2010. "Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 2228-2234.
    3. Bieda, Agnieszka & Dybał, Łukasz, 2021. "Assessing correctness of local spatial policy using information on commencement of construction investment process," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    4. Grassi, Stefano & Chokani, Ndaona & Abhari, Reza S., 2012. "Large scale technical and economical assessment of wind energy potential with a GIS tool: Case study Iowa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 73-85.
    5. Meryem Tahri & Mustapha Hakdaoui & Mohamed Maanan, 2015. "The evaluation of solar farm locations applying Geographic Information System and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods: Case study in southern Morocco," Post-Print hal-01185533, HAL.
    6. Höhn, J. & Lehtonen, E. & Rasi, S. & Rintala, J., 2014. "A Geographical Information System (GIS) based methodology for determination of potential biomasses and sites for biogas plants in southern Finland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-10.
    7. Tahri, Meryem & Hakdaoui, Mustapha & Maanan, Mohamed, 2015. "The evaluation of solar farm locations applying Geographic Information System and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods: Case study in southern Morocco," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1354-1362.
    8. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska & Piotr Jankowski, 2012. "Impact of proximity-adjusted preferences on rank-order stability in geographical multicriteria decision analysis," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 167-187, April.
    9. Mondal, Md. Alam Hossain & Denich, Manfred, 2010. "Assessment of renewable energy resources potential for electricity generation in Bangladesh," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(8), pages 2401-2413, October.
    10. Ram Avtar & Netrananda Sahu & Ashwani Kumar Aggarwal & Shamik Chakraborty & Ali Kharrazi & Ali P. Yunus & Jie Dou & Tonni Agustiono Kurniawan, 2019. "Exploring Renewable Energy Resources Using Remote Sensing and GIS—A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-23, August.
    11. Serrano-Luján, Lucía & Espinosa, Nieves & Abad, Jose & Urbina, Antonio, 2017. "The greenest decision on photovoltaic system allocation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 1348-1356.
    12. Sorin Avram & Corina Cipu & Ana-Maria Corpade & Carmen Adriana Gheorghe & Nicolae Manta & Mihaita-Iulian Niculae & Ionuţ Silviu Pascu & Róbert Eugen Szép & Steliana Rodino, 2021. "GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis Method for Assessment of Lake Ecosystems Degradation—Case Study in Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-23, May.
    13. Colak, H. Ebru & Memisoglu, Tugba & Gercek, Yasin, 2020. "Optimal site selection for solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using GIS and AHP: A case study of Malatya Province, Turkey," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 565-576.
    14. Voivontas, D. & Assimacopoulos, D. & Mourelatos, A. & Corominas, J., 1998. "Evaluation of Renewable Energy potential using a GIS decision support system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 333-344.
    15. Thomas L. Saaty & Luis G. Vargas, 2012. "Models, Methods, Concepts & Applications of the Analytic Hierarchy Process," International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Springer, edition 2, number 978-1-4614-3597-6, March.
    16. Zanakis, Stelios H. & Solomon, Anthony & Wishart, Nicole & Dublish, Sandipa, 1998. "Multi-attribute decision making: A simulation comparison of select methods," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 107(3), pages 507-529, June.
    17. Derya Ozturk & Fatmagul Batuk, 2011. "IMPLEMENTATION OF GIS-BASED MULTICRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS WITH VB IN ArcGIS," International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making (IJITDM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 10(06), pages 1023-1042.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Li, Xiaoya & Dong, Xinyu & Ye, Yanmei, 2024. "An interaction model applied to optimize photovoltaic farm location: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    2. Katarzyna Kocur-Bera & Szymon Czyża, 2023. "Socio-Economic Vulnerability to Climate Change in Rural Areas in the Context of Green Energy Development—A Study of the Great Masurian Lakes Mesoregion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-24, February.
    3. Bobrowski, Jakub & Łaska, Grażyna, 2023. "Using spatial elimination and ranking methods in the renewable energy investment parcel search process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sahoo, Somadutta & Zuidema, Christian & van Stralen, Joost N.P. & Sijm, Jos & Faaij, André, 2022. "Detailed spatial analysis of renewables’ potential and heat: A study of Groningen Province in the northern Netherlands," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    2. Minaei, Foad & Minaei, Masoud & Kougias, Ioannis & Shafizadeh-Moghadam, Hossein & Hosseini, Seyed Ali, 2021. "Rural electrification in protected areas: A spatial assessment of solar photovoltaic suitability using the fuzzy best worst method," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 334-345.
    3. Luis Arribas & Yolanda Lechón & Alberto Perula & Javier Domínguez & Manuel Ferres & Jorge Navarro & Luis F. Zarzalejo & Carolina García Barquero & Ignacio Cruz, 2021. "Review of Data and Data Sources for the Assessment of the Potential of Utility-Scale Hybrid Wind–Solar PV Power Plants Deployment, under a Microgrid Scope," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Azizkhani, Mostafa & Vakili, Abdullah & Noorollahi, Younes & Naseri, Farzin, 2017. "Potential survey of photovoltaic power plants using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method in Iran," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1198-1206.
    5. Asadi, Meysam & Ramezanzade, Mohsen & Pourhossein, Kazem, 2023. "A global evaluation model applied to wind power plant site selection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    6. Finn, Thomas & McKenzie, Paul, 2020. "A high-resolution suitability index for solar farm location in complex landscapes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 520-533.
    7. Zhou, Jianli & Wu, Yunna & Tao, Yao & Gao, Jianwei & Zhong, Zhiming & Xu, Chuanbo, 2021. "Geographic information big data-driven two-stage optimization model for location decision of hydrogen refueling stations: An empirical study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    8. Shorabeh, Saman Nadizadeh & Samany, Najmeh Neysani & Minaei, Foad & Firozjaei, Hamzeh Karimi & Homaee, Mehdi & Boloorani, Ali Darvishi, 2022. "A decision model based on decision tree and particle swarm optimization algorithms to identify optimal locations for solar power plants construction in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 56-67.
    9. Yılmaz, Kutay & Dinçer, Ali Ersin & Ayhan, Elif N., 2023. "Exploring flood and erosion risk indices for optimal solar PV site selection and assessing the influence of topographic resolution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    10. Heo, Jae & Jung, Jaehoon & Kim, Byungil & Han, SangUk, 2020. "Digital elevation model-based convolutional neural network modeling for searching of high solar energy regions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    11. Noorollahi, Younes & Ghenaatpisheh Senani, Ali & Fadaei, Ahmad & Simaee, Mobina & Moltames, Rahim, 2022. "A framework for GIS-based site selection and technical potential evaluation of PV solar farm using Fuzzy-Boolean logic and AHP multi-criteria decision-making approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 89-104.
    12. Rogna, Marco, 2020. "A first-phase screening method for site selection of large-scale solar plants with an application to Italy," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    13. Zhang, Zhengjia & Wang, Qingxiang & Liu, Zhengguang & Chen, Qi & Guo, Zhiling & Zhang, Haoran, 2023. "Renew mineral resource-based cities: Assessment of PV potential in coal mining subsidence areas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    14. Hossein Yousefi & Hamed Hafeznia & Amin Yousefi-Sahzabi, 2018. "Spatial Site Selection for Solar Power Plants Using a GIS-Based Boolean-Fuzzy Logic Model: A Case Study of Markazi Province, Iran," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-18, June.
    15. Höfer, Tim & Sunak, Yasin & Siddique, Hafiz & Madlener, Reinhard, 2016. "Wind farm siting using a spatial Analytic Hierarchy Process approach: A case study of the Städteregion Aachen," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 222-243.
    16. Sofia Spyridonidou & Georgia Sismani & Eva Loukogeorgaki & Dimitra G. Vagiona & Hagit Ulanovsky & Daniel Madar, 2021. "Sustainable Spatial Energy Planning of Large-Scale Wind and PV Farms in Israel: A Collaborative and Participatory Planning Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-23, January.
    17. Shiraishi, Kenji & Shirley, Rebekah G. & Kammen, Daniel M., 2019. "Geospatial multi-criteria analysis for identifying high priority clean energy investment opportunities: A case study on land-use conflict in Bangladesh," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1457-1467.
    18. Jiang, Wei & Zhang, Shuo & Wang, Teng & Zhang, Yufei & Sha, Aimin & Xiao, Jingjing & Yuan, Dongdong, 2024. "Evaluation method for the availability of solar energy resources in road areas before route corridor planning," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    19. Rios, R. & Duarte, S., 2021. "Selection of ideal sites for the development of large-scale solar photovoltaic projects through Analytical Hierarchical Process – Geographic information systems (AHP-GIS) in Peru," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    20. López-Bravo, Celia & Mora-López, Llanos & Sidrach-deCardona, Mariano & Márquez-Ballesteros, María José, 2024. "A comprehensive analysis based on GIS-AHP to minimise the social and environmental impact of the installation of large-scale photovoltaic plants in south Spain," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:18:p:6693-:d:913579. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.