Applying an AHP-GIS model to hybrid wind-solar energy site selection in a hot desert region: A case study of the Kuwaiti desert

The aim of this research is to present how sand encroachment and dust fallout criteria impact the siting of hybrid wind - solar energy in hot desert regions. Analytical Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System techniques were used to generate a hybrid wind - solar energy suitability map for Kuwait. For siting solar farms, dominant aeolian geomorphic processes like sand encroachment and dust fallout rate, distance to urban areas and farms, proximity to main roads and transmission lines, and slope criteria were used. Wind speed, distance to urban areas and farms, and proximity to main roads and transmission lines were considered for siting wind farms. According to the findings, sand encroachment and dust fallout rate were the top two criteria in terms of weighting for siting solar energy. The lowest hybrid suitability class covers the smallest area, with an area of 19 km(2) of the study area, and is located in the south of the study area. The highest hybrid suitability class covers 1349 km(2) and is located in the northeast, midwest, southeast, and south. The sensitivity analysis results demonstrate that sand encroachment and dust fallout rate have a significant role in siting hybrid wind - solar farms in hot desert regions.