Investigation of feasibility study of solar farms deployment using hybrid AHP-TOPSIS analysis: Case study of India

Presently, the usage of solar energy has increased with the advent of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and bypassing traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. Government of India (GoI) is adopting various policy measures to promote diffusion of solar energy across the nation and has huge solar energy investment plans in near future. In this regard, selection of appropriate site for solar power installation is of prime concern. It is a critical issue that needs to be analyzed in depth for producing solar power efficiently because various key factors viz. social, technical, economic, environmental and political aspects are associated with it. Considering the fact that there are lots of factors which affect the solar farm site selection, it is imperative to organize them in a systematic hierarchy. In this direction, present study aims to select appropriate site in an Indian case using hybrid combination of two Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE) methods- Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Present investigation reveals that Sonepat is the best location for solar installation followed by Rohtak, Chandigarh, Gurgaon and Hisar in state of Haryana, India. The purpose of the investigation is to present an effective, efficient and systematic decision support framework which might help policy planners in the evaluation process of appropriate solar farm site selection in India.

[1]  Ashu Verma,et al.  Economic and environmental effectiveness of renewable energy policy instruments: Best practices from India , 2016 .

[2]  Juan Miguel Sánchez-Lozano,et al.  Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods for the evaluation of solar farms locations: Case study in south-eastern Spain , 2013 .

[3]  Swapnil Dubey,et al.  Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Silicon Based Photovoltaic (PV) Technologies , 2013 .

[4]  H. Scheer,et al.  Solar energy's economic and social benefits , 1995 .

[5]  T. Tsoutsos,et al.  Environmental impacts from the solar energy technologies , 2005 .

[6]  Pablo Aragonés-Beltrán,et al.  An AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process)/ANP (Analytic Network Process)-based multi-criteria decision approach for the selection of solar-thermal power plant investment projects , 2014 .

[7]  Dinesh Khanduja,et al.  Exploring tapping potential of solar energy: Prioritization of Indian states , 2016 .

[8]  H. Effat.  Selection of Potential Sites for Solar Energy Farms in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt using SRTM and Multicriteria Analysis , 2013 .

[9]  Sunil Luthra,et al.  Analysis of barriers to implement solar power installations in India using interpretive structural modeling technique , 2013 .

[10]  Nikhil Gakkhar,et al.  Techno-economic Parametric Assessment of CSP Power Generations Technologies in India☆ , 2014 .

[11]  Jun Guo,et al.  Rank B2C e-commerce websites in e-alliance based on AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS , 2011, Expert Syst. Appl..

[12]  Adel Gastli,et al.  PV site suitability analysis using GIS-based spatial fuzzy multi-criteria evaluation , 2011 .

[13]  Sumiani Yusoff,et al.  Barriers and challenges for developing RE policy in Malaysia , 2012 .

[14]  Vijay Nehra,et al.  Solar energy deployment for sustainable future of India: Hybrid SWOC-AHP analysis , 2017 .

[15]  Deep Narayan Pandey,et al.  Determinants of success for promoting solar energy in Rajasthan, India , 2012 .

[16]  Nazli Yonca Aydin.  GIS-BASED SITE SELECTION APPROACH FOR WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS: A CASE STUDY FROM WESTERN TURKEY , 2009 .

[17]  Aggeliki Sgora,et al.  Access Network Selection in a Heterogeneous Environment Using the AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS Methods , 2010, MOBILIGHT.

[18]  S. Chauhan,et al.  Biomass resources assessment for power generation: A case study from Haryana state, India , 2010 .

[19]  T. Saaty.  Fundamentals of Decision Making and Priority Theory With the Analytic Hierarchy Process , 2000 .

[20]  Amro M. Farid,et al.  Job creation potentials and skill requirements in, PV, CSP, wind, water-to-energy and energy efficiency value chains , 2015 .

[21]  Dongrong Li,et al.  Using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques for Solar Panel Installation Site Selection , 2013 .

[22]  Yu Shan Su.  Competing in the Global Solar Photovoltaic Industry: The Case of Taiwan , 2013 .

[23]  Fahad A. Al-Sulaiman,et al.  Optimum selection of solar water heating (SWH) systems based on their comparative techno-economic feasibility study for the domestic sector of Saudi Arabia , 2016 .

[24]  Nadejda Komendantova,et al.  Community acceptance of large-scale solar energy installations in developing countries: Evidence from Morocco , 2016 .

[25]  Dixit Garg,et al.  Barriers to renewable/sustainable energy technologies adoption: Indian perspective , 2015 .

[26]  Ravi Shankar,et al.  An STEEP-fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS framework for evaluation and selection of thermal power plant location: A case study from India , 2012 .

[27]  Nikhil Gakkhar,et al.  Techno-economic parametric assessment of solar power in India: A survey , 2014 .

[28]  M. Schlecht,et al.  Site selection and feasibility analysis for concentrating solar power (CSP) systems , 2012 .

[29]  Hasimah Abdul Rahman,et al.  Personal and psychological factors affecting the successful development of solar energy use in Yemen power sector: A case study , 2016 .

[30]  M. Gustavsson.  Educational benefits from solar technology—Access to solar electric services and changes in children's study routines, experiences from eastern province Zambia , 2007 .

[31]  Sun Shu-dong.  Evaluation of High-Tech Research Project Based on Internal Fuzzy TOPSIS and AHP , 2011 .

[32]  Joshua M. Pearce,et al.  Estimating Potential Photovoltaic Yield with r.sun and the Open Source Geographical Resources Analysis Support System , 2010 .

[33]  Hung-Jia Tsuei,et al.  A Hybrid MCDM Model for Improving GIS-Based Solar Farms Site Selection , 2014 .

[34]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  DECISION MAKING WITH THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS , 2008 .

[35]  Vijay Nehra,et al.  Identification and analysis of barriers in implementation of solar energy in Indian rural sector using integrated ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach , 2016 .

[36]  Dolf Gielen,et al.  A framework for technology cooperation to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in Pacific Island Countries , 2016 .

[37]  Bikash Kumar Sahu.  Solar energy developments, policies and future prospectus in the state of Odisha, India , 2016 .

[38]  Bikash Kumar Sahu.  A study on global solar PV energy developments and policies with special focus on the top ten solar PV power producing countries , 2015 .

[39]  Krishan K. Pandey,et al.  Evolution of solar energy in India: A review , 2014 .

[40]  Esra Bas,et al.  The integrated framework for analysis of electricity supply chain using an integrated SWOT-fuzzy TOPSIS methodology combined with AHP: The case of Turkey , 2013 .

[41]  Eva Heiskanen,et al.  The deployment of new energy technologies and the need for local learning , 2017 .

[42]  Johan Lilliestam,et al.  Impact of political and economic barriers for concentrating solar power in Sub-Saharan Africa , 2017 .

[43]  A. Azapagic,et al.  Sustainability assessment of energy systems: Integrating environmental, economic and social aspects , 2014 .

[44]  Xinyue Ye,et al.  A group-based spatial decision support system for wind farm site selection in Northwest Ohio , 2013 .

[45]  Mustapha Hakdaoui,et al.  The evaluation of solar farm locations applying Geographic Information System and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods: Case study in southern Morocco , 2015 .

[46]  A. Bergmann,et al.  Rural versus urban preferences for renewable energy developments , 2008 .

[47]  A. Haleem,et al.  Comparative evaluation of GSCM practices in automotive components manufacturing firms of India: a fuzzy TOPSIS approach , 2016 .

[48]  Juliet E. Carlisle,et al.  Using GIS analytics and social preference data to evaluate utility-scale solar power site suitability , 2015 .

[49]  Enayat Allah Moallemi,et al.  India's on-grid solar power development: Historical transitions, present status and future driving forces , 2017 .

[50]  James J. Winebrake,et al.  The future of hydrogen fueling systems for transportation: An application of perspective-based scenario analysis using the analytic hierarchy process , 2003 .

[51]  Hasmat Malik,et al.  Application of rapid miner in ANN based prediction of solar radiation for assessment of solar energy resource potential of 76 sites in Northwestern India , 2015 .

[52]  Mohammad Reza Mohammadi,et al.  Multi-criteria decision support system for wind farm site selection using GIS , 2016 .

[53]  P. Tiwari,et al.  Recent developments of solar energy in India: Perspectives, strategies and future goals , 2016 .

[54]  A. Jain,et al.  A study of existing solar power policy framework in India for viability of the solar projects perspective , 2016 .

[55]  S. Manju,et al.  Progressing towards the development of sustainable energy: A critical review on the current status, applications, developmental barriers and prospects of solar photovoltaic systems in India , 2017 .

[56]  Vijay Nehra,et al.  Recognition and prioritization of challenges in growth of solar energy using analytical hierarchy process: Indian outlook , 2016 .

[57]  K. Sudhakar,et al.  Performance evaluation of 10 MW grid connected solar photovoltaic power plant in India , 2015 .

[58]  Lei Gao,et al.  Identifying preferred management options: an integrated agent-based recreational fishing simulation model with an AHP-TOPSIS evaluation method. , 2013 .

[59]  Vasilis Fthenakis,et al.  GIS-based wind farm site selection using spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA): Evaluating the case for New York State , 2011 .

[60]  Majid Vafaeipour,et al.  Assessment of regions priority for implementation of solar projects in Iran: New application of a hybrid multi-criteria decision making approach , 2014 .

[61]  Pablo del Río,et al.  An empirical analysis of the impact of renewable energy deployment on local sustainability , 2009 .

[62]  Abbas Rashidi,et al.  Selection of Project Managers in Construction Firm s Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Topsis: A Case Study , 2011 .

[63]  Akash Kumar Shukla,et al.  Design, simulation and economic analysis of standalone roof top solar PV system in India , 2016 .

[64]  Saad Mekhilef,et al.  A review on solar energy use in industries , 2011 .

[65]  Sourav Dey,et al.  Renewable energy scenario in India: Opportunities and challenges , 2016 .

[66]  Atul Sharma,et al.  Solar energy market developments in India , 2016 .

[67]  Malti Goel,et al.  Solar rooftop in India: Policies, challenges and outlook , 2016 .

[68]  Kazem Zare,et al.  A SWOT framework for analyzing the electricity supply chain using an integrated AHP methodology combined with fuzzy-TOPSIS , 2015 .

[69]  Chandra Prakash,et al.  Integration of AHP-TOPSIS method for prioritizing the solutions of reverse logistics adoption to overcome its barriers under fuzzy environment , 2015 .

[70]  Chun-Yu Lin,et al.  An Integrated Decision-Making Model for the Location of a PV Solar Plant , 2015 .

[71]  Annette Evans,et al.  Assessment of sustainability indicators for renewable energy technologies , 2009 .

[72]  M. Young,et al.  Sri Lanka Wind Farm Analysis and Site Selection Assistance , 2003 .

[73]  Tarla Rai Peterson,et al.  Socio-Political Evaluation of Energy Deployment (SPEED): An integrated research framework analyzing energy technology deployment , 2008 .

[74]  M. S. García-Cascales,et al.  Comparative TOPSIS-ELECTRE TRI methods for optimal sites for photovoltaic solar farms. Case study in Spain , 2016 .

[75]  Sanjay Kumar,et al.  Adoption of smart grid technologies: An analysis of interactions among barriers , 2014 .

[76]  Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas,et al.  Sustainable and Renewable Energy: An Overview of the Application of Multiple Criteria Decision Making Techniques and Approaches , 2015 .

[77]  Morteza Pakdin Amiri,et al.  Project selection for oil-fields development by using the AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS methods , 2010, Expert Syst. Appl..

[78]  W. Pearn,et al.  An Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making Model for Evaluating Wind Farm Performance , 2011 .

[79]  Hsien-Kuo Chang,et al.  Protection Priority in the Coastal Environment Using a Hybrid AHP-TOPSIS Method on the Miaoli Coast, Taiwan , 2012 .

[80]  Anjali Awasthi,et al.  A hybrid approach integrating Affinity Diagram, AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS for sustainable city logistics planning , 2012 .

[81]  Pradip Kumar Sadhu,et al.  New Location Selection Criterions for Solar PV Power Plant , 2014 .

[82]  Selcuk Cebi,et al.  A comparative analysis for multiattribute selection among renewable energy alternatives using fuzzy axiomatic design and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process , 2009 .

[83]  Tzu-Kuang Hsu,et al.  The preference analysis for tourist choice of destination: A case study of Taiwan , 2009 .

[84]  J. Janke,et al.  Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado , 2010 .

[85]  S. Sinan Erzurumlu,et al.  Development and Deployment Drivers of Clean Technology Innovations , 2013 .

[86]  Federica Cucchiella,et al.  A Multicriteria Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems: Energetic, Environmental, and Economic Assessments , 2015 .

[87]  Mevlut Uyan.  GIS-based solar farms site selection using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in Karapinar region, Konya/Turkey , 2013 .

[88]  Robert Glennon,et al.  Solar Energy's Cloudy Future , 2010 .

[89]  P. Río,et al.  Assessing the impact of renewable energy deployment on local sustainability: Towards a theoretical framework , 2008 .

[90]  S. Ramasesha,et al.  Performance of solar photovoltaic installations: Effect of seasonal variations , 2016 .

[91]  Anisuzzaman,et al.  Social, cultural and political dimensions of off-grid renewable energy programs in developing countries , 2016 .