Optimal Site Selection for Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in North Eastern State of India using Hybrid MCDM Tools

Abstract

As society develops, the demand for energy also increases. Most of world's energy requirements are fulfilled using fossil fuels or other types of non-renewable resources, which are polluting the environment, but also depleting. For this reason, the Government of India and the Government of Sikkim (North Eastern State of India) are working on policies to promote investment in solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and has plans to use it to meet the growing energy demand without causing damage to the environment. To make the best use of solar PV cells on commercial scale, it is necessary to know how to optimize the output of the PV power plant, and the most important factor is the selection of the land or the area on which the PV power plant is to be set up. There are multiple factors one must take into consideration for better output. In this study, focus has been put on geographical and meteorological factors that affect the output of the PV cells. Multi criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques have been used for selection of best site for PV power plant.