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Optimal Location of Solar Photovoltaic Plants Using Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Julio Manuel de Luis-Ruiz

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

  • Benito Ramiro Salas-Menocal

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

  • Raúl Pereda-García

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

  • Rubén Pérez-Álvarez

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

  • Javier Sedano-Cibrián

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

  • Carolina Ruiz-Fernández

    (Grupo de Investigación de Ingeniería Cartográfica y Explotación de Minas, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Minas y Energía, Universidad de Cantabria, Boulevard Ronda Rufino Peón, 254, Tanos, 39300 Torrelavega, Spain)

Abstract

Nowadays, solar energy is considered to be one of the most developed renewable energy sources, and its production capacity has increased in recent years. To optimize yields and production, the correct selection of the location of these plants is essential. This research develops a methodological proposal that allows for detecting and evaluating the most appropriate places to implement solar photovoltaic plants almost automatically through GIS tools. A multi-criteria analysis is proposed to analyze large extensions of land with ten duly weighted criteria that cover the energy and territorial requirements that any installation must meet. The method assigns each site a location coefficient that reflects the weighting of the chosen criteria so that the value ordered from highest to lowest reflects the best to the worst location. Unlike other research works that can be considered similar, the methodological proposal is much more consistent than traditional alternatives as it uses a multi-criteria analysis and a weighting mechanism that is also statistically consistent, objective, and based on logical criteria. This innovative methodology is applied to Cantabria (north of Spain), although it could be used for other contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio Manuel de Luis-Ruiz & Benito Ramiro Salas-Menocal & Raúl Pereda-García & Rubén Pérez-Álvarez & Javier Sedano-Cibrián & Carolina Ruiz-Fernández, 2024. "Optimal Location of Solar Photovoltaic Plants Using Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2895-:d:1367383
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jesús Polo, 2025. "Hybrid Wind–Solar Generation and Analysis for Iberian Peninsula: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Szymon Chmielewski, 2025. "Integrating Energy Transition into Protected Landscapes: Geoinformatic Solution for Low Visual Impact of Energy Infrastructure Development—A Case Study from Roztoczański National Park (Poland)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-25, August.
    3. Anna Kochanek & Agnieszka Generowicz & Tomasz Zacłona, 2025. "The Role of Geographic Information Systems in Environmental Management and the Development of Renewable Energy Sources—A Review Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-34, September.
    4. Ahmad I. Alyan & Nasrudin Abd Rahim & Jeyraj Selvaraj, 2025. "Grid-Tied PV Power Smoothing Using an Energy Storage System: Gaussian Tuning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, August.
    5. Vladimir Malinić & Uroš Durlević & Ljiljana Brašanac-Bosanac & Ivan Novković & Marko Joksimović & Rajko Golić & Filip Krstić, 2025. "A Hybrid Fuzzy AHP–MULTIMOORA Approach for Solar Energy Development on Rural Brownfield Sites in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-33, September.
    6. Dennis Thom & Artur Bugała & Dorota Bugała & Wojciech Czekała, 2025. "Comprehensive Energy and Economic Analysis of Selected Variants of a Large-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plant in a Temperate Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-32, August.
    7. Arkadiusz Małek, 2025. "Low-Emission Hydrogen for Transport—A Technology Overview from Hydrogen Production to Its Use to Power Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-32, August.

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