@article{b141de4e857f4dd5a90cce97586aa34b,
title = "Prioritizing suitable locations for national-scale solar PV installations: Israel's site suitability analysis as a case study",
abstract = "The integration of renewables is one of the main challenges and driving forces in electricity markets in recent years. Accordingly, the study of selecting suitable locations for installing renewable facilities has gained momentum. Although studies have examined various siting criteria, electric grid interconnection feasibility issues are not often included due to the lack of complete national mapping information and data. We couple Geographical Information System (GIS) data with an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to create a model for identifying and prioritizing locations that are better suited than others for PV installations based on techno-economic, environmental and electrical criteria. We test our model using Israel's entire national distribution power grid configuration and land use characteristics as a case study. Our results indicate that while a total area of 323 km2 is considered appropriate for PV installations in Israel, only 42.6% of that area (137.6 km2) can be classified into high or very high suitability levels. Prioritizing PV locations is of great importance because they determine the effectiveness of the PV integration in terms of how much it costs to generate electricity and optimal land use management. Hence, our methodology provides decision makers with a practical tool for expanding solar PV efficiently.",
keywords = "Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Ground-mounted, Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), Renewable energy sources (RES), Site suitability, Solar photovoltaic (PV)",
author = "Noam Shriki and Raul Rabinovici and Kobi Yahav and Ofir Rubin",
note = "Funding Information: However, the solar PV growth trend depends heavily on the realization of its full potential. In order to realize and utilize PV's potential effectively, it is essential to evaluate the scope of suitable lands that can support ground-mounted PV installations, determine the degree to which they are optimal sites, and identify their spatial distribution. Optimal locations are those that maximize the benefits for society, including electric utilities, governments, entrepreneurs and the public, and minimize their possible adverse effects.Nevertheless, from an optimal siting perspective, having more grid reserves would enable PV to be combined with energy storage system installations in the same suitable land polygons and the injection of energy into the grid during the day and night. In contrast, an already saturated grid infrastructure would permit these combined installations for the purpose of injecting energy into the grid only at night. Hence, a vacant grid infrastructure would enable PV energy use throughout the day, which could also provide support in case of load or generation congestion events. Such a situation would enable more effective PV implementation, while allowing maximum exploitation of land resources and their applicable PV potential.Grid and land saturation are major concerns for large-scale PV integration. If not managed properly, they may prevent the realization of the full potential of PV technology and impede the effort to meet national goals. Therefore, our findings have additional important implications for several relevant stakeholders. First, they can help create a long-term strategy plan for land allocations devoted to renewable energy sources and their integration, which includes other decision criteria such as land values and permits. In addition, the Israeli national authorities are currently working on building a master development plan for the electricity market for 2030 meant to support the large-scale RES integration. Our study can contribute to this work by indicating the areas that are most suitable for this effort. Moreover, PV entrepreneurs can be encouraged to invest in these areas. The optimal allocation of PV systems can be achieved only through the joint coordination of electrical grid interconnection issues and the availability of land resources. Our study demonstrates how the proposed methodology can be used to make decisions regarding a comprehensive strategic plan for deploying renewable energy sources at the national level.The authors are deeply grateful to the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) for their support and assistance in allowing us to access the electrical grid's topological information. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2023",
month = mar,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.renene.2023.01.057",
language = "English",
volume = "205",
pages = "105--124",
journal = "Renewable Energy",
issn = "0960-1481",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
}
