Sustainable solar energy potential using GIS-PVSOL: An integrated technical, economic, environmental and social analysis in Qazvin, Iran

IF 7.9 Q1 ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Results in Engineering Pub Date : 2025-09-05 DOI:10.1016/j.rineng.2025.107088

Yeganeh Aliabadi , Omid Asgari , Majid Mohammadi , Fatemezahra Ghanbari

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Abstract

Population growth and economic development have significantly increased global energy demand. Solar energy offers a pathway to sustainable development, but geographical challenges can hinder its efficiency. This research proposes a method to identify suitable sites for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Qazvin province, Iran, utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and multi-criteria decision-making approaches. Twenty factors across five criteria (environmental, physiographical, legal, technical, economical, and climatic) were analyzed to minimize costs and environmental impacts while maximizing power output. Key innovations include a comprehensive framework for assessing the geographic, technical, economic, environmental, and social potentials of the PV system. For the first time, power generation from PV technology was evaluated using PVSOL software integrated with GIS and Best-Worst Method (BWM). A 5 MW PV power plant was modeled for technical analysis, while social, economic, and environmental impacts were evaluated using structured questionnaires, economic models, and SimaPro software. Results show Qazvin has significant solar PV potential, with 5,855 km² (38.34%) classified as highly suitable. The internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV) are 14% and $3,887,710, respectively, confirming the system's cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the life cycle assessment indicates that the assembly phase has the greatest environmental impact. The current research findings highlight the viability of large-scale PV deployment in Qazvin and provide valuable insights to inform future energy planning and policy decisions aimed at sustainable regional development.

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利用GIS-PVSOL的可持续太阳能潜力：伊朗加兹温的综合技术、经济、环境和社会分析

人口增长和经济发展显著增加了全球能源需求。太阳能为可持续发展提供了一条途径，但地理挑战会阻碍其效率。本研究提出了一种利用地理信息系统（GIS）技术和多准则决策方法，在伊朗Qazvin省确定大型光伏电站的合适地点的方法。分析了五个标准（环境、地理、法律、技术、经济和气候）中的二十个因素，以最大限度地降低成本和环境影响，同时最大限度地提高功率输出。关键的创新包括一个评估光伏系统的地理、技术、经济、环境和社会潜力的综合框架。首次使用PVSOL软件结合GIS和Best-Worst Method （BWM）对光伏发电技术进行评估。以一个5兆瓦的光伏电站为模型进行技术分析，同时利用结构化问卷、经济模型和SimaPro软件对社会、经济和环境影响进行评估。结果表明，Qazvin具有显著的太阳能光伏潜力，5,855 km²（38.34%）被列为高度适宜。内部收益率（IRR）和净现值（NPV）分别为14%和3,887,710美元，证实了该系统的成本效益。此外，生命周期评估表明，装配阶段对环境的影响最大。目前的研究结果强调了在Qazvin大规模部署光伏的可行性，并为未来的能源规划和旨在可持续区域发展的政策决策提供了有价值的见解。

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