Optimum Location Selection for Photovoltaic Power Plants Based on Best-Worst Method: Example of Karatay District Konya, Türkiye

Abstract

Turkiye is a sunny region with very high potential for electricity generation from solar energy. This study identifies the most suitable areas for photovoltaic (PV) power plants in the Karatay district of Konya province using a combination of GIS (Geographical Information System) and the Best Worst Method (BWM). Based on the weighting of seven criteria (land use, proximity to existing transmission lines, proximity to residential areas, distance to the road network, slope, land aspect, elevation map), pairwise comparisons yielded a CR (xi*) of 0.0863514. The regional distribution of suitable areas was calculated as 16,982.87 ha (6.04%) very suitable, 68,516.53 ha (24.38%) suitable, and 31,147.46 ha (11.08%) less suitable, while 164,143.23 ha (58.41%) were unsuitable. The most influential criteria were land use (C1) and aspect (C6), with a weight value of 0.30 (30%). BWM enables two-sided comparisons using less data than other methods, increasing the reliability of results under uncertainty and producing more qualified outputs in location selection. The region's flat topography with high annual solar potential highlights the methodological novelty of the study. Elevation was the least effective factor, whereas land use was the most significant. Given the strong agricultural and livestock sectors, ensuring that PV facilities do not compromise these activities is critical, as establishing them on fertile lands may threaten food security and ecosystems. The quantified distribution of suitability classes and relative importance of criteria provide practical guidance for decision-makers (municipalities, private sector, energy investors, etc.), helping prioritize suitable areas while minimizing conflicts with agricultural and environmental values.