The Method of Spatial Suitability Assessment for Photovoltaic Development at the Municipality Scale

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop a nationally universal method for estimating the solar resources and to assess, at the municipality scale, the suitability for photovoltaic development based on the implementation of GIS&T (Geographic Information Science and Technology), multi-criteria analyses, and spatial data gathered from the National Geodetic and Cartographic Resources. The developed method is based on the use of digital topographic data and data gathered by means of modern remote sensing methods as a point cloud from airborne laser scanning. Based on studies in the literature, the formal and legal conditions applicable in Poland were discussed. The sets of constraints and factor criteria have been created as a base for evaluating the suitability of a chosen municipality for photovoltaic farms’ emplacement. Weight calculations in a multi-criteria method—an AHP method (analytic hierarchy process)—were applied. In the multi-criteria analysis, 27 constraints and 13 factors were included. Undoubtedly, a utilitarian feature of the developed method is the calculation models allowing full automation of the process of spatial assessment of municipality territories for photovoltaic farms’ development. Furthermore, calculation models can be easily adapted to some specific conditions that occur in the analyzed municipality territories. The results obtained confirm the significant usefulness of the implemented approach in the context of the spatial suitability assessment of photovoltaic development at the municipality scale.

Keywords

• geographic information system and technology GIS&T
• multi-criteria analysis
• photovoltaics
• airborne laser scanning