Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy in Riyadh Using a GIS-AHP-Based Technique

In recent years, spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) has been applied to different types of problems, such as solar power site suitability. MCDA can be used support the process identifying suitable regions for energy projects. To best our knowledge, no study addressed problem evaluation photovoltaic PV systems in Riyadh region. Therefore, a framework is proposed perform geospatial region, which includes data collection, analysis, system and visualization. The methodology that was solve suitability described. It involved combination Geographical Information System (GIS) Analytic Hierarchy Process (GIS-AHP). results show most sites are north northwest with an area represents 16,748 Km2 80% degree. addition, it proven Afif largest city. high radiation, at average 2.631687 MWh/m2/year, low temperatures, 26.3 °C, well having flat areas slope under 5°. were validated using sensitivity model also compared those ground-based stations.