A Hybrid Fuzzy AHP–MULTIMOORA Approach for Solar Energy Development on Rural Brownfield Sites in Serbia

Vladimir Malinić (), Uroš Durlević, Ljiljana Brašanac-Bosanac, Ivan Novković, Marko Joksimović, Rajko Golić and Filip Krstić
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Vladimir Malinić: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Uroš Durlević: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Ljiljana Brašanac-Bosanac: Institute of Forestry, Kneza Višeslava 3, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia
Ivan Novković: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Marko Joksimović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Rajko Golić: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Filip Krstić: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-33

Abstract: Global energy demand is steadily increasing, accompanied by a growing emphasis on clean and renewable energy sources. Serbia possesses significant solar energy potential, with solar radiation levels among the highest in Europe—about 40% above the European average. Within this context, rural depopulation clusters offer attractive opportunities for solar energy development due to the availability of underutilized land. This study aims to identify optimal locations for solar power installations in Serbia’s depopulated areas by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods under uncertainty. A hybrid framework, combining fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (fuzzy AHP) and fuzzy MULTIMOORA, was employed to evaluate potential sites. Fuzzy AHP was used to determine the relative importance of criteria, while fuzzy MULTIMOORA ensured a robust ranking of alternatives by addressing the vagueness in data and expert judgments. The analysis identified several high-potential brownfield locations, with the most suitable land class covering 5.01% (16.94 km 2 ) of the examined cluster area (311.3 km 2 ). These areas are typically characterized by flat terrain, high solar irradiation, and minimal environmental constraints, providing favorable conditions for solar farms. Among the assessed sites, location no. 9 consistently ranked highest across all three fuzzy MULTIMOORA variants: FRPA (z = 0.0588), FRS (y = 0.2811), and FFMF ( p = 1.6748). The findings confirm that the hybrid fuzzy AHP–MULTIMOORA approach offers valuable support for informed decision-making on solar energy deployment in depopulated rural regions. Moreover, the utilization of rural brownfield sites contributes to the expansion of renewable energy, rural revitalization, and sustainable land management in Serbia.

Keywords: solar energy; depopulation cluster; fuzzy AHP; fuzzy MULTIMOORA; rural brownfield; sustainable development; spatial management; solar power plants; site selection; geographic information system (GIS) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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