Land suitability for solar power plants in Karbala, Iraq using MCD and AHP-GIS

¹ Department of Astronomy and space, Collage of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
² Department of Remote sensing and GIS, Collage of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
³ Department of Physics, College of Education, Aliraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: Ebtesam.khanjer@sc.uobaghdad.edu.iq

Abstract

The attention of developed countries is turning to utilizing renewable energy sources, especially after the fossil fuel crises and environmental pollution caused by power plants, Solar cells are considered one of the main sources of energy in smart cities, which are especially focused on the roofs of houses and the unused area that provide a continuous source of energy and reduce polluting emissions to the atmosphere, solar energy is a more today’s efficient renewable resource, especially in areas with high solar energy. Solar cells turn solar energy into a source of electricity for domestic and industrial use. In this study we used using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing to potentially appropriate locations for solar power plants in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, which makes religious tourism in this city the most distinctive because it is a significant religious hub that draws many visitors from both inside and outside of Iraq. Despite other historical, cultural, heritage, and tourist attractions in the province. After determining the necessary criteria and collecting their data via the satellite images of Landsat 8 for the year 2022 and analyzing them by ArcGIS, the ideal land for the installation of solar cells was chosen using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Process (MCDA) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results showed that the areas that are suitable and very suitable are (15.41%), equivalent to (775.76607 Km2) of the total area of Karbala governorate (5033 Km2). As a result, this model is suitable for setting the parameters chosen to choose the most promising sites in Karbala governorate that can achieve the research objectives, this study helps urban planners, designers and investors to implement and develop solar power plants within the governorate.