Mapping Suitable Solar Farm Sites in Suez Governorate via Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Egypt has a great potential for using renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. Various regions, including the Suez Governorate, have the ability to generate electricity from solar energy through the selection of suitable sites. Therefore, this study aims to identify suitable sites for solar farms in the Suez Governorate, Egypt, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and Boolean overlay operations. Key factors considered include global solar radiation, aspect, slope, and land use land cover. The analysis revealed that 35.3% of the region is suitable for solar farm development, with aspect being the most significant factor affecting suitability. Specifically, unsuitable areas account for 37.5% of the total area due to aspect. The efficacy of GIS in spatial decision-making processes is demonstrated by this method, which guarantees sustainable and effective site selection for renewable energy projects. This product will help decision-makers and urban planners identify the governorate's primary suitable sites for the installation of solar infrastructure.