Multi-Criteria GIS Analysis of Solar Energy Deployment in Alborz Province: A Case Study on 10 MW PV Plant Siting and Environmental Impact

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. Student, School of Energy Engineering and Sustainable Resources, College of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the criteria for achieving sustainable development in any country is using renewable resources. The first step to take advantage of these resources is potential assessment of areas in order to identify the most suitable place for the construction of power plants from renewable resources or the installation of equipment. Among renewable resources, solar energy has received a lot of attention due to its many benefits and its rapid enhancement of operational equipment. Therefore, in this article, the potential of solar energy in Alborz province has been studied. Based on the figures obtained from the GIS software, suitable places for generating power from photovoltaic systems have been estimated and classified in two proper groups consisting of medium and good potential of solar radiation. The total extractable electric power from solar radiation of Alborz province has been calculated and by comparing the amount of power produced by this power plant with a conventional thermal power plant, the amount of prevented emission of pollutants by this renewable plant during one year has been calculated. According to the obtained results, with the construction of a 10 MW photovoltaic power plant in the middle areas of Savojbolagh and Karaj, the emission of 8200 tons of carbon will be prevented annually compared to fossil fuels and constructing the same power plant in Eshtehard and parts of Nazarabad  will lead to prevent 7400 tons of carbon emission annually.

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