GIS based site suitability assessment for wind and solar farms in Songkhla, Thailand

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 132; pp. 1360 - 1372
• Main Authors: Ali, Shahid, Taweekun, Juntakan, Techato, Kuaanan, Waewsak, Jompob, Gyawali, Saroj
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2019
• Subjects: Analytic hierarchy process; GIS; Multi-criteria decision making; Solar farms; Thailand; Wind farms; GIS; Wind farms; Thailand; Multi-criteria decision making; Solar farms; Analytic hierarchy process
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.09.035

The objective of this study was to identify ideal sites to locate utility-scale wind and solar farms in Songkhla, a province in southern Thailand. Geographic Information System (GIS) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were used to assess various physiographic, environmental and economic siting criteria. The data used in this work were primarily obtained from governmental organizations. Additionally, a Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) solar map with a spatial resolution of 1km/pixel for the years 2007–2015 was obtained from Solargis as well as a 200 m resolution wind resource map of 100 m above ground level obtained from previous research conducted in the study area. The results of the study indicate that Songkhla has potential land areas of up to 66.113 km2 and 844.93 km2 available for wind and solar farms respectively, though only areas of 38.749 km2 and 69.509 km2 respectively were judged as being “highly suitable”. Most of these highly suitable areas were located in the Ranot District. The results of this study provide an important starting point for stakeholders interested in investing in renewable energy in Southern Thailand. Knowledge of the suitability of sites will provide a greater level of confidence and therefore likely expedite the renewable energy investment process.
•This is the first detailed study to explore Songkhla Province, Thailand for siting wind and solar farms.•GIS-MCDM approach have been used to assess various physiographic, environmental and economic siting criteria.•Siting criteria were considered after an extensive literature review, additionally endorsed by seven experts' opinions.•This study finds that Ranot District has the highest suitability for both wind and solar utility-scale farms in Songkhla Province.