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A multi-criteria GIS analysis for siting of utility-scale photovoltaic solar plants in county Kilkenny, Ireland

Piirisaar, Ingrid LU (2019) In Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science GISM01 20191
Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Abstract
Renewable energy is the keyword for energy industry sector in the world today. Solar energy has a huge potential, able to fulfill increasing energy demand and growing its share of energy sector. Republic of Ireland has one of the lowest solar energy deployment rates in Europe, although climatic conditions have been proved to be acceptable. The purpose of this study was to assess potential sites for utility-scale photovoltaic solar plants in county Kilkenny in south-east Ireland.
The study was based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Different datasets from Ordnance Survey Ireland, European Environment Agency, Environmental Protection Agency Ireland and The United States Geological Survey... (More)
Renewable energy is the keyword for energy industry sector in the world today. Solar energy has a huge potential, able to fulfill increasing energy demand and growing its share of energy sector. Republic of Ireland has one of the lowest solar energy deployment rates in Europe, although climatic conditions have been proved to be acceptable. The purpose of this study was to assess potential sites for utility-scale photovoltaic solar plants in county Kilkenny in south-east Ireland.
The study was based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Different datasets from Ordnance Survey Ireland, European Environment Agency, Environmental Protection Agency Ireland and The United States Geological Survey were used for the analysis.
Firstly, factors were identified and weighted according to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), indicating different suitability classes. Secondly, separately constraints were identified to produce a final constraints layer showing the unsuitable locations. Finally, the weighted overlay of factors and the Boolean constraints layers were multiplied together to produce the suitability map for the study area.
The constraints accounted for 85.11% of the study area and 0.67% of the study area was found to fulfill all the required criteria and to be suitable for utility-scale solar plants. Majority of the suitable areas were scattered in the northeast of the county, exemplifying how topography influences incoming solar radiation as the most important factor for solar energy generation. (Less)
Popular Abstract
The interest in renewable energies is growing very fast and sustainable alternative energy sources are being more and more adopted all over the world. Solar energy is one of the most promising and popular renewable energies, being able to fulfill continuously increasing world´s energy demand. In the Republic of Ireland, solar energy has been overlooked and is almost non-existent, although the solar radiation levels are comparable with the Europe`s largest solar power market Germany`s average annual.
The purpose of this study was to identify preferred locations for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants development in county Kilkenny in Ireland, using a combination of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision... (More)
The interest in renewable energies is growing very fast and sustainable alternative energy sources are being more and more adopted all over the world. Solar energy is one of the most promising and popular renewable energies, being able to fulfill continuously increasing world´s energy demand. In the Republic of Ireland, solar energy has been overlooked and is almost non-existent, although the solar radiation levels are comparable with the Europe`s largest solar power market Germany`s average annual.
The purpose of this study was to identify preferred locations for utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants development in county Kilkenny in Ireland, using a combination of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Publically available spatial data from various sources were used for the analysis.
Energy generation from solar PV in county Kilkenny has a high potential. The results indicate the presence of multiple suitable sites, with 0.67% of the study area fulfilling all the required criteria. As solar parks can be installed, and also de-installed, very quickly, this advantage can be taken to enable to meet renewable energy targets for 2020. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Piirisaar, Ingrid LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Solar plants suitability in county Kilkenny, Ireland
course
GISM01 20191
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Geography, GIS, MCDM, solar plants, site suitability, Ireland
publication/series
Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science
report number
103
language
English
id
8989290
date added to LUP
2019-07-01 11:36:20
date last changed
2019-07-01 11:36:20
@misc{8989290,
  abstract     = {{Renewable energy is the keyword for energy industry sector in the world today. Solar energy has a huge potential, able to fulfill increasing energy demand and growing its share of energy sector. Republic of Ireland has one of the lowest solar energy deployment rates in Europe, although climatic conditions have been proved to be acceptable. The purpose of this study was to assess potential sites for utility-scale photovoltaic solar plants in county Kilkenny in south-east Ireland. 
The study was based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Different datasets from Ordnance Survey Ireland, European Environment Agency, Environmental Protection Agency Ireland and The United States Geological Survey were used for the analysis. 
Firstly, factors were identified and weighted according to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), indicating different suitability classes. Secondly, separately constraints were identified to produce a final constraints layer showing the unsuitable locations. Finally, the weighted overlay of factors and the Boolean constraints layers were multiplied together to produce the suitability map for the study area. 
The constraints accounted for 85.11% of the study area and 0.67% of the study area was found to fulfill all the required criteria and to be suitable for utility-scale solar plants. Majority of the suitable areas were scattered in the northeast of the county, exemplifying how topography influences incoming solar radiation as the most important factor for solar energy generation.}},
  author       = {{Piirisaar, Ingrid}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis in Geographical Information Science}},
  title        = {{A multi-criteria GIS analysis for siting of utility-scale photovoltaic solar plants in county Kilkenny, Ireland}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}