Optimal Decision-Making in Photovoltaic System Selection in Saudi Arabia

Sultan Al-Shammari, Wonsuk Ko, Essam A. Al Ammar, Majed A. Alotaibi and Hyeong-Jin Choi
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Sultan Al-Shammari: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Wonsuk Ko: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Essam A. Al Ammar: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Majed A. Alotaibi: Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia
Hyeong-Jin Choi: GS E&C Institute, GS E&C Corp., 33, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03159, Korea

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: In this study, optimal decision-making process in photovoltaic (PV) system location selection in Saudi Arabia is described. First, to identify the criteria that influence the decision of selecting a suitable location for the PV system, the geographical information system (GIS)-based multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach is used. Next, to assess the weights of the criteria that present different aspects of the investigated locations, four major criteria and 11 sub-criteria are proposed, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied to develop comparison decision matrix. Finally, the order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) technique evaluates and classifies 17 cities (such as Riyadh, Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia. The result shows that Tabuk city in the northern of Saudi Arabia is the best location. Among the 17 cities, the performance score of seven cities is above or equal 80%, and Tabuk city has the highest score with 87%. This analytical approach could contribute as an early planning to locate suitable sites for the selection of PV system region in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: PV system location; geographical information system (GIS); multi-criteria decision making (MCDM); analytic hierarchy process (AHP); the order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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