Integrating Geospatial Interpolation Techniques and TOPSIS to Identify the Plausible Regions in India to Harness Solar Energy

Publications

Integrating Geospatial Interpolation Techniques and TOPSIS to Identify the Plausible Regions in India to Harness Solar Energy

Year : 2021

Publisher : Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

Source Title : Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

Document Type :

Abstract

Energy is an essential commodity that helps in the economic growth of a country. Unfortunately, the availability of conventional sources used for the generation of electricity is reducing, which is one of the significant reasons for energy insecurity, especially in context to India. In this regard, the Indian Ministry has emphasized on the use of renewable energy to meet the increasing energy demand. Solar is one such renewable alternatives, which is being promoted in India. It is planned to extend the current installed capacity in the near future. In this regard, mapping the seasonal variation of solar radiation over the entire country would help in planning appropriate developmental activities. However, since the meteorological stations are confined to selected localities, the solar radiation received over the entire country remains unmapped. In this study, considering the solar irradiation fields of 72 discrete locations, irradiation over the entire nation is mapped using geospatial interpolation techniques. Additionally, the hierarchy of states that are relatively insensible to seasonal variations and receiving maximum radiation is determined using the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making technique. The findings of this study ratify that the IDW interpolation technique is most suitable for the estimation of solar radiation data. Further, the relative hierarchy of states drawn helps to plan the developmental activities optimally and to expand the solar installation capacity in the country.