Optimal Solar Plant Site Identification Using GIS and Remote Sensing: Framework and Case Study

Many countries have set a goal for a carbon neutral future, and the adoption of solar energy as an alternative energy source to fossil fuel is one of the major measures planned. Yet not all locations are equally suitable for solar energy generation. This is due to uneven solar radiation distribution as well as various environmental factors. A number of studies in the literature have used multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to determine the most suitable places to build solar power plants. To the best of our knowledge, no study has addressed the subject of optimal solar plant site identification for the Al-Qassim region, although developing renewable energy in Saudi Arabia has been put on the agenda. This paper developed a spatial MCDA framework catering to the characteristics of the Al-Qassim region. The framework adopts several tools used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), such as Random Forest (RF) raster classification and model builder. The framework aims to ascertain the ideal sites for solar power plants in the Al-Qassim region in terms of the amount of potential photovoltaic electricity production (PVOUT) that could be produced from solar energy. For that, a combination of GIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) techniques were employed to determine five sub-criteria weights (Slope, Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), proximity to roads, proximity to residential areas, proximity to powerlines) before performing spatial MCDA. The result showed that ‘the most suitable’ and ‘suitable’ areas for the establishment of solar plants are in the south and southwest of the region, representing about 17.53% of the study area. The ‘unsuitable’ areas account for about 10.17% of the total study area, which is mainly concentrated in the northern part. The rest of the region is further classified into ‘moderate’ and ‘restricted’ areas, which account for 46.42% and 25.88%, respectively. The most suitable area for potential solar energy, yields approximately 1905 Kwh/Kwp in terms of PVOUT. The proposed framework also has the potential to be applied to other regions nationally and internationally. This work contributes a reproducible GIS workflow for a low-cost but accurate adoption of a solar energy plan to achieve sustainable development goals.

Comparative analysis of AI-based models for short-term photovoltaic power forecasting in energy cooperatives

Energy communities can support the energy transition, by engaging citizens through collective energy actions and generate positive economic, social and environmental outcomes. Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are gaining increasing share in the electricity mix as the economy decarbonises, with Photovoltaic (PV) plants to becoming more efficient and affordable. By incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, innovative applications can be developed to provide added value to energy communities. In this context, the scope of this paper is to compare Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms for the prediction of short-term production in a solar plant under an energy cooperative operation. Three different cases are considered, based on the data used as inputs for forecasting purposes. Lagged inputs are used to assess the historical data needed, and the algorithms’ accuracy is tested for the next hour’s PV production forecast. The comparative analysis between the proposed algorithms demonstrates the most accurate algorithm in each case, depending on the available data. For the highest performing algorithm, its performance accuracy in further forecasting horizons (3 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours) is also tested.

Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and Choosing by Advantages (CBA) to Determine the Optimal Location for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farms

Solar energy is a critical component of the energy development strategy. The location of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants has a significant impact on the cost of power production. A favorable situation would result in significant cost savings and increased electricity generation efficiency. California is located in the United States of America's southwest region, a place blessed with an abundance of solar energy. In recent years, the state's economy and population have expanded quickly, resulting in increased need for power. The study examines south of California for an area that is well-suited for the building of large photovoltaic (PV) plants to meet local electricity needs. To begin, this article imposed some limits on the selection of three potential solar project locations (S1, S2, and S3). Then, a more systematic approach to solar plant site selection was presented, focusing on five major characteristics (economic, technological, social, geographical, and environmental). This is the first time that the Choosing by Advantages (CBA) approach has been used to determine the locations of photovoltaic (PV) plants, with possible locations ranked S2>S1>S3. It was compared to more classic methodologies such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). The findings of this study suggest that the CBA strategy not only streamlines the solar plant selection process, but also more closely aligns with the objectives and desires of investors.

Effect of a regenerator on hybrid solar gas turbine performance in Barranquilla, Colombia

A thermodynamic analysis of a hybrid gas turbine solar plant, represented in three basic subsystems related to the power cycle, the combustion chamber subsystem, and the solar concentrator subsystem, allows evaluating the performance of a hybrid cycle from a reduced number of parameters, which include energy losses in each of its components. The solar radiation values are estimated with an evaluated and validated theoretical model, the combustion chamber uses natural gas as fuel and the numerical values of the system are taken from the Solugas experimental plant in Spain. This work presents an integrated model that allows to estimate the operation of a hybrid solar Brayton power plant in any place and day of the year. The evaluation of the plant in Barranquilla, Colombia is shown from the influence of the regenerator has on the plant performance and solar concentrating system. The results show that the regenerator can increase the overall efficiency of the plant by 29% and allows reaching a maximum temperature of the central receiver of the concentrator of 1044 K at noon, when solar radiation is maximum.

Integration management – adaptive life cycle approach in solar plant construction project – experience report

The objective of this experience report was to present the solutions used in the Management Process of the Construction and Assembly project of a Solar Photovoltaic Plant in utilitarian scale, in complex, uncertain and conflicting contexts. As a leading issue, it is intended to demonstrate that new approaches adopted in the project reported here – distinct from the traditional model and practices – allowed the mitigation of the main problems common to construction projects, including divergences between executive project and field activity, delays in delivery and deadlines initially contracted, and consequent additional expenses to the base budget. As a methodology, its theoretical foundation was based on bibliographic survey, addressing aspects such as: project management and life cycle ofthem,integration between the various processes and stakeholders, and Solar Energy on a utilitarian scale, in the scope of construction. This experience report aimed to discuss and demonstrate the approach used in the Guañizuil II A project, located in Argentina, in which agility, flexibility and innovation resulted in the mitigation of delays and additional costs, the achievement of notable records and the development of practical alternatives that can be applied to other construction projects. It is concluded that engineering projects, in their executive phase, need to be aligned with reality in the field, where an adaptive approach can bring positive gains and impacts throughout the life cycle.

Software for calculating the optimum tilt angle of PV modules in different latitudes of the Southern hemisphere and solar plant sizing

Through the development of photovoltaic technologies, the market related to this type of renewable energy grows constantly. In Brazil, the generated power through photovoltaic (PV) power stations approximates to 2.3 GW representing 1.3% of the total Brazilian energy mix. To supply the public it is necessary to offer tools that facilitate consumer decision making or even the work of a solar farm designer. By analyzing the user’s necessity, it is possible to determine that a great parcel needs a quick and simple response to help them with their questions, and programs that are already well established in the marketplace are complex for inexperienced users. For this reason, a software that calculates the best inclination for PV modules using the method proposed by Liu and Jordan in 1962 is developed. It also determines the number of modules that can be installed without any shading between arrays within a user-defined area. This calculation is possible through the standard dimensions provided by the module manufacturers and the solar height and declination study. Through a simple interface, the user quickly receives the optimum tilt angle of installation, the number of PV modules and the maximum generated power.

Design Factors in Concentrating Solar Power Plants for Industrial Steam Generation

The importance of energy consumption for industrial steam generation justifies the need to promote new renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, such as concentrated solar energy, for its integration in this sector. In this work, the different alternatives currently available and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, as well as the main parameters that influence the design of solar installations for industrial steam production. Besides, a guidance procedure is proposed and applied to a real solar plant design.

Techno-economic assessment of the use of Linear Fresnel Solar Collectors for the supply of heat in traditional fruits and vegetable processing industries in Almeria’s province

This study presents a techno-economic assessment of the use of Linear Fresnel Solar Collectors for the heat supply in traditional fruits and vegetable processing industries in Almeria’s province. This assessment is justified by the high availability of solar radiation in the area under study, the evaluation of complementary energy self-consumption modalities, and the suitability of using local resources for the preservation and improvement of traditional productive activities. The work starts with an identification of the potential user’s needs and their location in the province. Afterward, the solar radiation resources have been estimated as they constitute one of the basic inputs for sizing the proposed systems. Together with the above, representative thermal demands have been considered and different configurations of commercial Linear Fresnel Solar Collector thermal plants aimed to contribute to solarize the analyzed productive processes have been designed and the corresponding techno-economic assessment have been undertaken. Main findings advance the profitability that can be achieved with this technology, reaching, after an optimized integration of the solar plant in the industrial process, a solar fraction between 66-82 % and payback periods of the investment between 6-12 years