Abstract
In this study, we employed a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach to identify sites suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant installations in Mongolia. Accordingly, cells of 30 × 30 m were used, and data based on seven criteria, including annual global horizontal radiation, annual average temperature, elevation, slope, slope direction (aspect), and distances from main roads and major power lines, were collected for each cell. GIS layers for these seven criteria were then converted into rated value layers using four grades. The weightings applied to the seven criteria were determined, using an analytical hierarchy process, by ten solar field experts. By combining the seven rating value layers with the weightings, a site suitability map was developed, using good, fair, low, and poor suitability grades. The results showed that sites graded as good, fair, low, and poor accounted for 3.27%, 53.06%, 42.59%, and 1.08% of the total surface area, respectively. Good sites were predominantly located in the southern and central regions of Mongolia. As the current demand for electric power in southern and central regions is low and high, respectively, we concluded that the central region of Mongolia should be prioritized for installing PV power plants.
Highlights
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects global energy consumption to grow by approximately 50% between 2018 and 2050 [1]
Ten experts participated in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) survey—five from Mongolia and five from Korea—all of whom were professors or electricians employed in the energy and electricity sectors
All of the participants have more than 10 years of experience and expertise in PV power plants
Summary
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects global energy consumption to grow by approximately 50% between 2018 and 2050 [1]. With increasing awareness regarding the risks of climate change, many countries have undertaken strategies for a transition to low-carbon economies. This has led to a focus on the use of renewable energy sources, as they are generally considered “clean”, with a considerably lower impact on the environment than other energy sources [2]. Renewable energy accounted for 26.2% of global electricity generation in 2018, which is expected to grow to 45% by 2040, making renewable energy the fastest growing source of electricity [3]
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