Research Article
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Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 40 - 53, 01.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1643891

Abstract

References

  • Abdin, Z., Alim, M. A., Saidur, R., Islam, M. R., Rashmi, W., Mekhilef, S., & Wadi, A. (2013). Solar energy harvesting with the application of nanotechnology. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 26, 837–852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.06.023
  • Adjiski, V., & Serafimovski, D. (2024). GIS- and AHP-based decision systems for evaluating optimal locations of photovoltaic power plants: Case study of Republic of North Macedonia. Geomatics and Environmental Engineering, 18(1), 51–82. https://doi.org/10.7494/geom.2024.18.1.51
  • Atalay, I., & Mortan, K. (1997). Regional geography of Türkiye. Milet Publishing Limited.
  • Balta, H., & Yumurtaci, Z. (2024). Investigation and Optimization of Integrated Electricity Generation from Wind, Wave, and Solar Energy Sources. Energies, 17(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030603
  • Barzehkar, M., Sharifzadeh, M., Jafari, S., & Emami, Y. (2021). Decision support tools for wind and solar farm site selection in Isfahan Province, Iran. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 23(4), 1179–1195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02133-2
  • Cengiz, M., Erol, R., & Aydın, A. (2015). A review of prices for photovoltaic systems. International Journal on Technology Physical Problems of Engineering, 7(3), 8–13.
  • Unel, F. B., Kusak, L., & Yakar, M. (2023). GeoValueIndex map of public property assets generating via Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System for Mass Appraisal: GeoValueIndex. Aestimum, 82, 51-69..
  • Demirgül, T., Demir, V., & Sevimli, M. F. (2024). Farklı makine öğrenmesi yaklaşımları ile Türkiye’nin solar radyasyon tahmini. Geomatik, 9(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.1374383
  • Di Grazia, S., & Tina, G. M. (2024). Optimal site selection for floating photovoltaic systems based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A case study. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 43(1), Article 2167999. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2023.2167999
  • Hasanzaeh, M., Kamran, K. V., Feizizadeh, B., & Mollabashi, S. H. (2024). GIS-based spatial decision-making approach for solar energy site selection, Ardabil, Iran. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 9(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1341451
  • Hersbach, H., Bell, B., Berrisford, P., Hirahara, S., Horányi, A., Muñoz-Sabater, J., Nicolas, J., Peubey, C., Radu, R., Schepers, D., Simmons, A., Soci, C., Abdalla, S., Abellan, X., Balsamo, G., Bechtold, P., Biavati, G., Bidlot, J., Bonavita, M., ... Thépaut, J.-N. (2020). The ERA5 global reanalysis. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 146(730), 1999–2049. https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.3803
  • Islam, M. R., Alam, K., Rahman, M. M., & Hasanuzzaman, M. (2024). Site suitability assessment for solar power plants in Bangladesh: A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Renewable Energy, 220, 119595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119595
  • Ishizaka, A., & Labib, A. (2011). Review of the main developments in the analytic hierarchy process. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(11), 14336–14345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.04.143
  • Jun, D., Chen, J., & Liu, H. (2014). Macro-site selection of wind/solar hybrid power station based on ELECTRE-II. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 35, 194–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.005
  • Koc, A., Turk, S., & Şahin, G. (2019). Multi-criteria of wind-solar site selection problem using a GIS-AHP-based approach with an application in Igdir Province, Türkiye. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(31), 32298–32310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06318-4
  • Kocabaldır, C., & Yücel, M. A. (2020). GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis of site selection for photovoltaic power plants in Çanakkale Province. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 7(3), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.720689
  • Kocabaldır, C., & Yücel, M. A. (2023). GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis for spatial planning of solar photovoltaic power plants in Çanakkale province, Türkiye. Renewable Energy, 212, 455–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.075
  • Lewis, N. S. (2007). Toward cost-effective solar energy use. Science, 315(5813), 798–801. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1137014
  • Occhiena, C. (2023). The statistics handbook (Version 0.2). https://www.academia.edu/115881275/The_Statistics_Handbook
  • Önder, M., Güntel, A., & Kaya, Ö. Y. (2022). A geographical information systems (GIS) perspective on European green deal and sustainability. Advanced GIS, 2(1), Article 1.
  • Parida, B., Iniyan, S., & Goic, R. (2011). A review of solar photovoltaic technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3), 1625–1636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.032
  • Panwar, N., Kaushik, S., & Kothari, S. (2011). Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3), 1513–1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.037
  • Rekik, S., & El Alimi, S. (2023). Optimal wind-solar site selection using a GIS-AHP-based approach: A case of Tunisia. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 18, 100355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2023.100355
  • Saaty, R. W. (1987). The analytic hierarchy process—What it is and how it is used. Mathematical Modelling, 9(3), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-0255(87)90473-8
  • Saaty, T. L. (2008). Decision making with the analytic hierarchy process. International Journal of Services Sciences, 1(1), 83–98. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSCI.2008.017590
  • Sener, S., Sener, E., Nas, B., & Karagüzel, R. (2010). Combining AHP with GIS for landfill site selection: A case study in the Lake Beyşehir catchment area (Konya, Turkey). Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 30(11), 2037–2046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.024
  • Soukissian, T. H., Karathanasi, F. E., & Zaragkas, D. K. (2021). Exploiting offshore wind and solar resources in the Mediterranean using ERA5 reanalysis data. Energy Conversion and Management, 237, 114092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114092
  • Steel, R. G. D., & Torrie, J. H. (1960). Principles and procedures of statistics (with special reference to the biological sciences). McGraw-Hill. https://doi.org/10.1002/bimj.19620040313
  • Suprova, N. T., Zidan, M. A. R., & Rashid, A. R. M. H. (2020, December 26–27). Optimal site selection for solar farms using GIS and AHP: A literature review. International Conference on Industrial & Mechanical Engineering and Operations Management (IMEOM) (Dhaka, Bangladesh). IEOM Society International.
  • Taktak, F., & Ilı, M. (2018). Güneş Enerji Santrali (GES) Geliştirme: Uşak Örneği. Geomatik, 3(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.329561
  • Talibi, M., Boutallaka, M., El Mazi, M., Hmamouchi, M., & El Hairchi, K. (2025). Assessment of current and future land sensitivity to degradation under climate change in the upstream Ouergha watershed (Morocco) using GIS and AHP method. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 10(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1521350
  • Tarek, M., Brissette, F. P., & Arsenault, R. (2020). Evaluation of the ERA5 reanalysis as a potential reference dataset for hydrological modelling over North America. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24(5), 2527–2544. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2527-2020
  • Yıldız, E., & Er, F. (2023). Coğrafi bilgi sistemleri ve çok kriterli karar verme yöntemleri: Hibrit çözüm yaklaşımı ile Siirt örneği. Geomatik, 8(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.1228779
  • Yılmaz, İ., Kocer, A., & Aksoy, E. (2024). Site selection for solar power plants using GIS and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process: Case study of the western mediterranean region of Turkiye. Renewable Energy, 237, 121799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121799
  • Wilczak, J. M., Akish, E., Capotondi, A., & Compo, G. P. (2024). Evaluation and Bias Correction of the ERA5 Reanalysis over the United States for Wind and Solar Energy Applications. Energies, 17(7), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071667

Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye

Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 40 - 53, 01.10.2025
https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1643891

Abstract

Energy demand is a crucial aspect of human society, and efforts have been made to meet this increasing demand through various energy production methods. However, the extensive use of fossil fuels for energy generation has led to environmental degradation and pollution issues such as global warming, climate change, and air pollution. In response to these challenges, renewable energy sources have recently gained prominence, with solar energy playing a key role in this transition. This study focuses on developing a solar PV power plant through site selection using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method integrated with a geographical information system (GIS). The objectives include identifying the optimal site for the power plant, evaluating meteorological datasets (Station-based and ERA-5 datasets), and conducting statistical analyses on those data sets. The study area is located in the southern part of Türkiye, which includes three watersheds in the Mediterranean Region. This research utilized a range of meteorological and topographical data, with GIS operations such as Euclidean Distance analysis, reclassification of raster data, weight assignment, and overlay analysis being performed. Expert Choice software was employed to determine the final weights based on questionnaire results. Statistical comparisons indicated a high correlation among the datasets, with anomalies observed in humidity and solar irradiation values during specific months. The study found a consistent pattern in identifying suitable locations for solar plants, with minor variations in classification areas. Most areas and regions were classified as "Moderately Suitable" in both applications

References

  • Abdin, Z., Alim, M. A., Saidur, R., Islam, M. R., Rashmi, W., Mekhilef, S., & Wadi, A. (2013). Solar energy harvesting with the application of nanotechnology. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 26, 837–852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.06.023
  • Adjiski, V., & Serafimovski, D. (2024). GIS- and AHP-based decision systems for evaluating optimal locations of photovoltaic power plants: Case study of Republic of North Macedonia. Geomatics and Environmental Engineering, 18(1), 51–82. https://doi.org/10.7494/geom.2024.18.1.51
  • Atalay, I., & Mortan, K. (1997). Regional geography of Türkiye. Milet Publishing Limited.
  • Balta, H., & Yumurtaci, Z. (2024). Investigation and Optimization of Integrated Electricity Generation from Wind, Wave, and Solar Energy Sources. Energies, 17(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030603
  • Barzehkar, M., Sharifzadeh, M., Jafari, S., & Emami, Y. (2021). Decision support tools for wind and solar farm site selection in Isfahan Province, Iran. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 23(4), 1179–1195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02133-2
  • Cengiz, M., Erol, R., & Aydın, A. (2015). A review of prices for photovoltaic systems. International Journal on Technology Physical Problems of Engineering, 7(3), 8–13.
  • Unel, F. B., Kusak, L., & Yakar, M. (2023). GeoValueIndex map of public property assets generating via Analytic Hierarchy Process and Geographic Information System for Mass Appraisal: GeoValueIndex. Aestimum, 82, 51-69..
  • Demirgül, T., Demir, V., & Sevimli, M. F. (2024). Farklı makine öğrenmesi yaklaşımları ile Türkiye’nin solar radyasyon tahmini. Geomatik, 9(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.1374383
  • Di Grazia, S., & Tina, G. M. (2024). Optimal site selection for floating photovoltaic systems based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): A case study. International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 43(1), Article 2167999. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786451.2023.2167999
  • Hasanzaeh, M., Kamran, K. V., Feizizadeh, B., & Mollabashi, S. H. (2024). GIS-based spatial decision-making approach for solar energy site selection, Ardabil, Iran. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 9(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1341451
  • Hersbach, H., Bell, B., Berrisford, P., Hirahara, S., Horányi, A., Muñoz-Sabater, J., Nicolas, J., Peubey, C., Radu, R., Schepers, D., Simmons, A., Soci, C., Abdalla, S., Abellan, X., Balsamo, G., Bechtold, P., Biavati, G., Bidlot, J., Bonavita, M., ... Thépaut, J.-N. (2020). The ERA5 global reanalysis. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 146(730), 1999–2049. https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.3803
  • Islam, M. R., Alam, K., Rahman, M. M., & Hasanuzzaman, M. (2024). Site suitability assessment for solar power plants in Bangladesh: A GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Renewable Energy, 220, 119595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.119595
  • Ishizaka, A., & Labib, A. (2011). Review of the main developments in the analytic hierarchy process. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(11), 14336–14345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.04.143
  • Jun, D., Chen, J., & Liu, H. (2014). Macro-site selection of wind/solar hybrid power station based on ELECTRE-II. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 35, 194–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.005
  • Koc, A., Turk, S., & Şahin, G. (2019). Multi-criteria of wind-solar site selection problem using a GIS-AHP-based approach with an application in Igdir Province, Türkiye. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(31), 32298–32310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06318-4
  • Kocabaldır, C., & Yücel, M. A. (2020). GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis of site selection for photovoltaic power plants in Çanakkale Province. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 7(3), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.720689
  • Kocabaldır, C., & Yücel, M. A. (2023). GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis for spatial planning of solar photovoltaic power plants in Çanakkale province, Türkiye. Renewable Energy, 212, 455–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.075
  • Lewis, N. S. (2007). Toward cost-effective solar energy use. Science, 315(5813), 798–801. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1137014
  • Occhiena, C. (2023). The statistics handbook (Version 0.2). https://www.academia.edu/115881275/The_Statistics_Handbook
  • Önder, M., Güntel, A., & Kaya, Ö. Y. (2022). A geographical information systems (GIS) perspective on European green deal and sustainability. Advanced GIS, 2(1), Article 1.
  • Parida, B., Iniyan, S., & Goic, R. (2011). A review of solar photovoltaic technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3), 1625–1636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.032
  • Panwar, N., Kaushik, S., & Kothari, S. (2011). Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(3), 1513–1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.11.037
  • Rekik, S., & El Alimi, S. (2023). Optimal wind-solar site selection using a GIS-AHP-based approach: A case of Tunisia. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 18, 100355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2023.100355
  • Saaty, R. W. (1987). The analytic hierarchy process—What it is and how it is used. Mathematical Modelling, 9(3), 161–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/0270-0255(87)90473-8
  • Saaty, T. L. (2008). Decision making with the analytic hierarchy process. International Journal of Services Sciences, 1(1), 83–98. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSCI.2008.017590
  • Sener, S., Sener, E., Nas, B., & Karagüzel, R. (2010). Combining AHP with GIS for landfill site selection: A case study in the Lake Beyşehir catchment area (Konya, Turkey). Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 30(11), 2037–2046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.024
  • Soukissian, T. H., Karathanasi, F. E., & Zaragkas, D. K. (2021). Exploiting offshore wind and solar resources in the Mediterranean using ERA5 reanalysis data. Energy Conversion and Management, 237, 114092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.114092
  • Steel, R. G. D., & Torrie, J. H. (1960). Principles and procedures of statistics (with special reference to the biological sciences). McGraw-Hill. https://doi.org/10.1002/bimj.19620040313
  • Suprova, N. T., Zidan, M. A. R., & Rashid, A. R. M. H. (2020, December 26–27). Optimal site selection for solar farms using GIS and AHP: A literature review. International Conference on Industrial & Mechanical Engineering and Operations Management (IMEOM) (Dhaka, Bangladesh). IEOM Society International.
  • Taktak, F., & Ilı, M. (2018). Güneş Enerji Santrali (GES) Geliştirme: Uşak Örneği. Geomatik, 3(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.329561
  • Talibi, M., Boutallaka, M., El Mazi, M., Hmamouchi, M., & El Hairchi, K. (2025). Assessment of current and future land sensitivity to degradation under climate change in the upstream Ouergha watershed (Morocco) using GIS and AHP method. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 10(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1521350
  • Tarek, M., Brissette, F. P., & Arsenault, R. (2020). Evaluation of the ERA5 reanalysis as a potential reference dataset for hydrological modelling over North America. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 24(5), 2527–2544. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2527-2020
  • Yıldız, E., & Er, F. (2023). Coğrafi bilgi sistemleri ve çok kriterli karar verme yöntemleri: Hibrit çözüm yaklaşımı ile Siirt örneği. Geomatik, 8(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.29128/geomatik.1228779
  • Yılmaz, İ., Kocer, A., & Aksoy, E. (2024). Site selection for solar power plants using GIS and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process: Case study of the western mediterranean region of Turkiye. Renewable Energy, 237, 121799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121799
  • Wilczak, J. M., Akish, E., Capotondi, A., & Compo, G. P. (2024). Evaluation and Bias Correction of the ERA5 Reanalysis over the United States for Wind and Solar Energy Applications. Energies, 17(7), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071667
There are 35 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Planning
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Davoud Taha 0000-0002-0944-5386

Hosein Salehi 0000-0001-9908-9794

Dursun Zafer Seker 0000-0001-7498-1540

Early Pub Date August 25, 2025
Publication Date October 1, 2025
Submission Date February 20, 2025
Acceptance Date June 28, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Taha, D., Salehi, H., & Seker, D. Z. (2025). Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 11(1), 40-53. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1643891
AMA Taha D, Salehi H, Seker DZ. Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. IJEG. October 2025;11(1):40-53. doi:10.26833/ijeg.1643891
Chicago Taha, Davoud, Hosein Salehi, and Dursun Zafer Seker. “Identification of Appropriate Locations for the Establishment of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants Using Station-Based and ERA5 Datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 11, no. 1 (October 2025): 40-53. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1643891.
EndNote Taha D, Salehi H, Seker DZ (October 1, 2025) Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 11 1 40–53.
IEEE D. Taha, H. Salehi, and D. Z. Seker, “Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye”, IJEG, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 40–53, 2025, doi: 10.26833/ijeg.1643891.
ISNAD Taha, Davoud et al. “Identification of Appropriate Locations for the Establishment of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants Using Station-Based and ERA5 Datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 11/1 (October2025), 40-53. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1643891.
JAMA Taha D, Salehi H, Seker DZ. Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. IJEG. 2025;11:40–53.
MLA Taha, Davoud et al. “Identification of Appropriate Locations for the Establishment of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plants Using Station-Based and ERA5 Datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, vol. 11, no. 1, 2025, pp. 40-53, doi:10.26833/ijeg.1643891.
Vancouver Taha D, Salehi H, Seker DZ. Identification of appropriate locations for the establishment of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants using Station-based and ERA5 datasets in the Mediterranean Region of Türkiye. IJEG. 2025;11(1):40-53.