Location selection for solar power plants by using support vector machines: Adıyaman province, Turkey

Abstract

The demand for natural resources and energy is increasing daily due to increasing trade and production opportunities resulting from population increase and globalization. The rising demand for energy and the uneven distribution of non-renewable energy have spurred a growing interest in renewable energy. Solar power has been preferred as a significant source of energy in power production in Turkey due to its geographical location, and this has brought the need for selecting suitable areas for the establishment of Solar Power Plants (SPP) in the provinces of the country that are rich in terms of solar power potential. The research focuses on identifying suitable areas for SPP in Adiyaman province, utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). The spatial database incorporates 13 criteria affecting SPP establishment, and the study employs the Support Vector Machines (SVM) method for analysis. The results indicate that approximately 67 % of Adiyaman province is not suitable for SPP, while 8 % is deemed ideal at a moderate degree, 10 % is convenient, and 15 % is the most suitable. Establishing the SPPs planned in Adiyaman province in the most appropriate areas will ensure that more energy is obtained and significantly contribute to the province's economy, environment, and society.