Alternatives to Solar Power Plant Location Through GIS and AHP: Case of Karaman, Turkey

In meeting today's increasing energy needs, the use of renewable energy sources becomes widespread comparing with the thermal and nuclear power plants, which cause great harm to nature. While hydroelectric power plants are most common among renewable energy plants in Turkey, national policies towards increasing wind power plants and solar power plants are gaining momentum. Due to its geographical location, Turkey is more advantageous position compared to many other countries in terms of solar energy potential. The region receiving the most solar energy in Turkey is Southeastern Anatolia, followed by the Mediterranean and Eastern Anatolia. It is seen that the solar energy potentials of Antalya, Karaman, Mersin and Van provinces are higher than other provinces of Turkey. With the help of a well-known Turkey map on the solar potential of cities, it is possible to determine the advantageous cities which solar power plants (SPP) can be placed. However, there is a need for a multi-criteria decision-making method regarding where position solar power plants in these cities. With this work; according to the solar radiation values of Turkey, it is aimed to determine the alternatives for the most suitable SPP locations in Karaman Province, which has an important potential for the establishment of a solar power plant. Appropriate locations were determined by a multi-criteria and geographic information systems (GIS) supported method. Eleven criteria with data for the city of Karaman have been identified among the criteria mentioned in the related literature. The scores obtained from these criteria (in grids of 100x100 meters) are classified into five categories. The weighted scores were then standardized to a range of 1-5 with tools to reclassify in GIS environment. Reclassified weighted criteria were overlapped with Weighted Overlay Analysis to determine the most suitable regions for SPP investment.