A multicriteria space model to locate grid-connected photovoltaic power plants in Granada (Spain), case study

Energy consumption grows year on year but present reserves of fossil fuels can only cover consumption at current rates for the next 40 years, in the case of oil, and for the next 60 in the. case of natural gas. The emissions generated by the use of fossil fuels are the source of serious environmental problems which in many cases are irreversible. The use of renewable energy technologies seems to be a viable solution for environmental problems produced by other energy sources so today environmental policies are largely promoted to foresting the implementation of renewable energy technologies. In this sense, some countries, for example Spain, have taken an important step to foment grid-connected photovoltaic solar energy but the efficiency of these installations depends on location characteristics. This paper describes the structure and the principal phases of an environmental decision-support system, which combines multi-criteria analysis as well as the analytic hierarchy process with geographical information systems technology, to make easier site selection of grid-connected photovoltaic power plants; it combines. The developed model has considered climate features that directly influence the performance of solar energy installation, environmental aspects, legal aspects, orography and finally social and economic factors. This model has been applied in Granada (Spain) and results have been test through a validation process consisting in sensibility analysis. Results have shown applicability and consistence of the model.