Feasibility and Zoning of Establishing Solar Power Stations to Produce Sustainable Energy From the Environment in Northwestern Iran

Abstract

Attention to climatic and environmental potentials for exploitation and meeting human needs has been considered for many years. But the optimal and correct use of this potential requires accurate knowledge and subsequent careful planning. Today, the use of climate and productive energy from the environment is more of a concern for researchers. This investigation aims to appraise the feasibility of establishing solar thermal power plants (solar panels) by examining eight climatic and atmospheric parameters in the environment based on fuzzy logic in northwestern Iran. In this study, the weather datum of 22 Urban Climate Synoptic stations were prepared to evaluate the climatic conditions for the feasibility of establishing a thermal solar power plant for sustainable development using fuzzy logic in the north-west of Iran for each synoptic station during a statistical period of 31 years (1990–2020). This research used eight climatic parameters: average max temperature, average temperature, average min relative moisture, mean relative moisture, total monthly precipitation, and a daily average of Sunny hours, altitude, and wind speed in this systemic model. MATLAB software was used to combine the input data from fuzzy logic and ANFIS Adaptive Neural Network. The climate zoning map for establishing a thermal solar power plant with the scores obtained for each of the parameters and finally the final map was drawn using the ArcGIS. The results show that the fuzzy logic method showed a great variety of options for the establishment of solar thermal power plants using climatic parameters. In total, after obtaining the final rating for each of the 22 stations, Bonab station, with a coefficient score of (0.544–0.589), and Miyaneh station with a score (0.543–0.577), located in East Azarbaijan Province, in the north-west of Iran are appropriate for the establishment of a solar power plant. The Northwest of Iran is suitable to meet the needs of various energies, including domestic electricity, due to the potential stemming from its favorable climatic conditions climate; therefore, it is necessary to take steady steps to develop this important industry. Also, the accuracy of MATLAB and ArcGIS software with a high level of 0.96% confidence in finding a suitable place for the establishment of solar power stations was confirmed. According to the final results obtained from the integration and fuzzification of 8 climatic parameters and zoning of suitable and unsuitable areas for prioritization, Ardabil station with a score of 0.345% in the priority of inconvenient location, and Bonab station with a score of 0.589% in the priority of where the best places were for the establishment of solar power stations. Considering the findings of the present study, the central region and distant locales in mountainous areas were suitable places for the establishment of solar panels. The valuable results of the present study can be given more attention by the sectors that use a lot of sustainable energy. The results of this research in the field of sustainable energy production from the environment are more in the spotlight.