Application of the Delphi Method for the identification of relevant variables in the development of low-power photovoltaic solar projects in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: This paper is the product of the investigation “Identification of relevant variables in the development of photovoltaic solar projects in Colombia” developed at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas (UDFJC) between 2020 and 2021. Due to the increase in the number of photovoltaic energy projects in Colombia, it is necessary to quantify the level of relevance related with the factors involved in order to optimize the planning and execution processes. Methods: In this research, the Delphi methodology is applied to evaluate a set of variables selected from literature, putting them to an evaluation by a group of experts with the purpose of quantifying the relationship, under a subjective judgment, between those variables and parameters immersed in low power photovoltaic solar projects in Colombia. Together with the Delphi method, the Torgerson Model was used to quantify what experts said, in order to determine which variables are the most relevant ones to the experts. Subsequently, the validation of these answers is carried out with the application of a second evaluative stage throughout the application of structured instruments. Results: After obtaining the general consensus, the results are analyzed with the ideal of identifying the variables that obtained a higher level of relevance, in which six relevant variables were identified. Conclusions: This paper shows how the results of research processes get the most relevant variables, being 6 variables in total, and their impact is analyzed. Originality: Applying the Delphi method, it is possible to find the most relevant variables in the development of low power photovoltaic solar projects in Colombia, making this paper an important element in the advancement of renewable energies. Limitation: A massive sample of results was not achieved due to the difficulty in contacting the appropriate professionals in the area analyzed.