Determination of optimal locations for utility-scale photovoltaic installations in Turkiye for improved performance and service lifetime

This study presents a comprehensive site suitability map for photovoltaic installations across Turkiye, incorporating a broad range of critical factors. These include plane-of-array irradiance, degradation effects due to heat and humidity, module temperature, terrain ruggedness, proximity to substations and major roads, and land use characteristics. Unlike existing studies that often focus on specific regions and prioritize techno-economic metrics to maximize power generation and profitability, this study takes a nationwide perspective and integrates long-term performance and service lifetime considerations. Analytical Hierarchical Process is applied for pairwise comparisons to assess the relative importance of predetermined criteria. The resulting map highlights optimal sites for utility-scale installations and provides a foundation for more localized, high-resolution analyses incorporating additional criteria. By adopting a multi-dimensional evaluation approach, this study addresses sustainability alongside performance and cost-effectiveness, offering a flexible framework for informed, holistic decision-making in site selection.