A Site Ranking service for solar power plants using a WebGIS-based spatial Mulit-Criteria Decision Analysis

Kurzfassung

This thesis demonstrates the application of a GIS-based spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach to assess sites’ suitability for utility-scale solar power plants by implementing and testing a Site Ranking tool. At first, the basic characteristics of Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) and the theoretical background of spatial MCDA are presented. The functionalities of the implemented Solar Site Ranking prototype which is realised as a webservice are explained next. Further, the service is tested for its validity by carrying out two case studies. The first one includes the calculation of a suitability map for deploying CSP plants in Andalusia. Meaningful assumptions have been made to compare the model fit with the current spatial distribution. The second case study examines the tool’s capabilities to chart PV installations in Bavaria. It turns out that spatial MCDA is an adequate approach to solve site selection problems for solar power plants even if the spatial distribution of solar installations cannot be confirmed by the resulting suitability maps in the case studies. Different sources of errors and uncertainties are identified. Nevertheless, the prototype of the tool provides a sound basis for integrating further capabilities. The integration of the tool in a WebGIS environment also results in an increase of accessibility for potential users.