Land suitability analysis for solar power plant using satellite imagery processing and GIS, Ardabil, Iran

Fossil fuel emissions have caused immense harm to the environment, making renewable energy sources like solar power essential. However, finding the optimal location for a solar power plant requires multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) due to various factors influencing the selection process. This study used the AHP method to weigh criteria such as GHI, Temperature, Elevation, Slope, Land cover, Distance from city, and Distance from road. The layers created from satellite imagery were combined using algebraic sums to produce a final map with 9 classes The analysis showed that class 9 has the most desirable values for each criterion, indicating the most suitable regions for a solar power plant. The results of the study have identified the southern and some central regions of Ardabil province as being the most suitable locations for the construction of a solar power plant. These regions have been found to have favorable values for the criteria studied, indicating a higher potential for solar energy generation. Based on the criteria assigned to class 9, the best lands have been identified, occupying a total area of 3085 hectares. This area represents approximately 0.17% of the total area of Ardabil province. These findings highlight the importance of careful site selection for solar power plants to ensure maximum efficiency and sustainability.