Technique of optimal site selection for installing solar photovoltaic power stations (as exemplified by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan)
N.S. IMAMVERDIEV
Institute of Geography, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Azerbaijan
Keywords: renewable energy sources, solar energy, geographic information systems, model of the analytical hierarchy of the process, site selection, criteria for determination
Abstract
This study is concerned with the selection of optimal territories for installing solar photovoltaic power stations. The relevance of the research done is explained by the fact that electric energy generated by converting total solar radiation on a horizontal surface consisting of direct and diffuse components of PV cells has low output power; therefore, it is necessary to identify areas with a high power factor for more efficient power generation. However, due to the low efficiency of PV panels (14-18 %) and the low intensity of total solar radiation on a horizontal surface, a large installation space is required to achieve a certain power level. Due to the high cost of installing solar power plants, a comprehensive systematic assessment of the geographic factors of the region is required to select the most suitable location. Our selection of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic as the study area is explained by the fact that the radiation level is high compared to other regions of Azerbaijan (1220-1699 kW h/m2 per year), and the number of hours of sunshine per year exceeds 2500. Since the creation of solar power plants in regions with high values of total radiation on a horizontal surface depends on technical, economic and environmental criteria, descriptive criteria are used to determine the optimal areas. The Analytical Process Hierarchy (AHP) model, based on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, was used to identify suitable locations for solar power plants. In the first phase of the study, seven criteria were analyzed to determine suitable locations: total solar radiation on a horizontal surface, slope, land use, buffer distance from areas with high annual solar energy potential to residential areas, proximity to substations, motor roads, and power lines. In the second stage, the level of accessibility and suitability of areas within the framework of certain criteria was determined using the Weighted Overlay tool in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In the second stage, using the weighted overlay tool in geographic information systems (GIS), the level of suitability of territories was determined according to certain criteria. As a result, of the study, it was concluded that 9,5 % (510 km2) of the land of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has high suitability, 12 % (645 m2) - medium suitability, and 24 % (1290 km2) - low suitability for placing solar power plants. The remaining 54.5 % (2930 km2) of the region belongs to the territories that are not suitable for use due to low radiation, high slope, the presence of protected areas, settlements, agricultural areas and poorly developed infrastructure. Optimal locations cover mainly the southern and eastern parts of the region.
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