Assessing green hydrogen production potential using photovoltaic solar energy in industrial buildings of southeastern Spain

Green hydrogen, generated from renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaics, offers a promising solution for achieving a sustainable energy transition. Beyond its established role as an energy vector, its direct use in industries could significantly expand decarbonization options, especially for sectors with substantial thermal energy demand, where existing gaseous and liquid fuel networks and competitive costs could facilitate hydrogen integration. In this study, Geographic Information Systems and Analytical Hierarchical Process are combined to assess the potential of photovoltaic solar energy for green hydrogen production within industrial hubs in southeastern Spain using high-resolution local data. Proximity to the natural gas pipeline network emerges as the most influential criterion in the multi-criteria decision analysis, accounting for 44% of the overall weight. The study area shows a hydrogen production potential of 1.6–1.9 Mt (54.76–63.54 TWh) in unoccupied industrial zones and 18.2–21.2 kt (0.61–0.71 TWh) on the roofs of existing industrial buildings, both located in highly suitable areas. This dual approach enables the optimization of high-performance sites for the production of green hydrogen, facilitating the planning and integration into the industrial sector. • Hydrogen production can significantly decarbonize industrial heat demand. • Unoccupied industrial zones offer a hydrogen production potential of 55–64 TWh. • 8,550 industrial buildings in high-suitability areas produce 18–21 kt of hydrogen. • High-resolution local data avoid overestimation, improving hydrogen analysis.