Geospatial-based risk analysis of solar plants located in the mountainous region of Gangwon Province, South Korea

Abstract

The rapid decline of fossil resources and environmental concerns have led to an increase in the use of renewable energy. Solar energy is currently the most widely available renewable energy source used in the world and is gaining popularity globally. However, climate change poses an enormous threat even to solar energy infrastructure, as it increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. This study investigates the risk of solar photovoltaic power stations (SPVPs) in the Gangwon region of South Korea to landslides, a common hazard in mountainous regions of the Korean Peninsula. The analysis involves evaluating the landslide susceptibility modeling through a logistic regression approach, quantifying the risk of solar plants, and proposing mitigation measures to minimize the vulnerability. We identified that 8.27 % of SPVPs are located in regions characterized by high to severe landslide hazard levels, highlighting their vulnerability to geological events. Utilizing a risk matrix, we determined that 67 % of solar plant sites pose low risk, while 14 %, 9 %, and 10 % are associated with medium, high, and severe risk levels, respectively. Further, we identified that approximately 9.2 % of existing SPVPs required urgent proactive measures, with 12.2 % necessitating proactive measures overall. The proposed framework highlights the importance of proactive risk management measures such as slope stabilization and drainage improvements, which are necessary to safeguard SPVPs from landslides and ensure the long-term viability of renewable energy infrastructure in hazard-prone regions.