A fuzzy AHP and GIS-based approach to prioritize utility-scale solar PV sites in Saudi Arabia

Determining site suitability for utility-scale solar PV power plants requires complex decisions. Basing such decisions on extensive information, especially from the geographical information system (GIS), offers significant advantages such as improved project performance, minimized power loss, and reduced environmental impacts. The primary aim of this research is to evaluate the ideal location for utility-scale solar PV projects using the GIS combined with a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the country of Saudi Arabia. Various economic and technical factors are considered in the proposed model and are ranked using a fuzzy AHP approach. The best selection for solar PV is a tradeoff between maximum power achievement and minimal project cost. An analysis of land suitability is computed to classify the suitability area into three different categories: "high," "moderate", and "low". The results obtained from the analysis show that 15% and 8.2% of the study areas show high and moderate suitability levels, respectively. By considering only 10% of the highly suitable land, the potential power generated per year could reach 8,330,807 GWh, which is 28 times greater than the current energy sales in Saudi Arabia, which is around 294,612 GWh/year.