Dinh-Thanh Nguyen, Minh-Hoang Truong, Diem-Trinh Phan
Abstract
This research aims to develop a GIS-based simulation for choosing the best location for a solar farm in Binh Thuan province, which is in the low, hilly-mountainous region of South-Central Vietnam. Four groups of criteria (climate, location, land use, and orography), which include eight criteria (solar radiation, land surface temperature; distance to substation, main road, residential area, historical and tourism sites; land use; and slope) are considered for the site selection. Moreover, these criteria are divided into twenty-four sub-criteria which indicate the advantages and disadvantages of each criterion. A method of analytic hierarchy process, then, is applied to determine the relative weight of each group, criterion, and sub-criterion. Furthermore, based on a calculated land suitability index score, a map with four categories of very advantageous, advantageous, rather advantageous, and disadvantageous areas for solar power farm development was also created. Finally, the developed model can be used for supporting planners, managers, policy makers, and local government to make decisions on suitable and effective planning strategies for solar power farm site selection and can be applied anywhere around the world.