Geospatial analysis for optimal solar power plant siting in industrial zones

This study integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to optimally identify locations for the establishment of solar power plants within Industrial zones across Iran. The principal innovation of this research lies in its evaluation of industrial zones as open land suitable for utility-scale, ground-mounted solar power plant deployment. Unlike most previous studies, which have primarily focused on undeveloped natural land such as barren or agricultural areas or built structures such as rooftops and dam reservoirs, this study emphasizes the strategic value of existing industrial infrastructure in solar power plant siting. For this purpose, eleven key criteria in three domains technical, economic, and environmental were carefully weighted and analyzed using AHP method. After conducting spatial modeling and integrating the layers within the ArcGIS environment, the total solar potential of the country was determined. The results indicated that the provinces of Kerman (5430 TWh/year), Sistan and Baluchestan (4937 TWh/year), Razavi Khorasan (4583 TWh/year), and Fars (4448 TWh/year) possess the highest theoretical capacities for solar energy production. Additionally, the analysis of overlap between industrial zones and high-radiation areas revealed that provinces such as Yazd, Kerman, Isfahan, and Qom demonstrate more than 60% overlap, offering substantial potential for the successful implementation of solar projects. These findings provide a strategic framework for renewable energy policymaking at the national level, as well as valuable insights for private sector decision-making in solar energy investments.