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64 CHAPTER 2 Solar PV Power Plants Site Selection: A Review

linguistic variable which represent the state of the fuzzy number. In principle, mem-
bership functions can be of different shape but in practice, trapezoidal and triangular
types are the most commonly used fuzzy numbers [61,72e74]. Aydin et al. [22]
considered mathematical tools of Fuzzy Set Theory with decision-making procedure
that deploys ordered weighted averaging algorithm for aggregating multiple objec-
tives and prioritize the most feasible locations for hybrid solar PV-wind systems.
Janke [35] applied a multicriteria GIS modeling to identify areas that are more suit-
able for the wind and solar farms installation in Colorado. The GIS-overlay tech-
niques used to examine the relationship between land cover classes and National
Renewable Energy Laboratory solar and wind potential data.

1.2 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
GIS has demonstrated its ultimate potential for exploiting geographical information
to develop a spatial decision support system. The integration of GIS with other tech-
niques develops a better insight for the policy makers to improve their selection and
optimize their options by considering various subjective and conflicting criteria.
GIS-based MCDM tool is commonly applied in spatial analysis to obtain the
most favorable sites for different applications such as landfill site selection
[75,76], urban planning [68,77] and renewable energy sites [7,62]. Integrating the
two fields brings together their benefits and can offer a fine lens and more reliable
decision for the optimal solar site selection. Table 2.1 presents studies applying
GIS-based MCDM for utility-size solar PV site suitability in different regions.
The GIS is a computer media (hardware and software) for analysis, editing,
consultation, storage and disposal of spatial data for solving complex planning prob-
lems [69]. The high-level maturity and advanced embedded tools prompt the GIS to
be an excellent tool for strategic planning of solar energy development projects.
Building the decision for utility-scale solar PV power plants site selection on exten-
sive information especially from GIS offers significant advantages including [11]:
• Improve the solar project performance by ensuring the high level of solar irra-
diation and moderate air temperature.
• The orientation of the site can be optimized when the project installed on flat
ground, placed toward the south and without a large shadow.
• Minimizing the losses from transportation, power transmission, and production
by considering the sites near these utilities and nearby urban areas which is the
main consumption points.
• Reduce the environmental, society, and infrastructures impacts.
• Exclude the protected areas and unsuitable sites from the study areas.
The discoveries of the potential solar site can support the new development of in-
frastructures such as transportation and transmission lines to be near these locations
to promote the utilization of free energy. GIS-based approaches are detail-specific,
replicable across various regions and can be automated for less hands-on computing.
However, they are time-consuming and computer-resource intensive [78].