Title: Multicriteria selection of solar energy technologies using an integrated decision support framework

Authors: Pramod B. Lanjewar; R.V. Rao; A.V. Kale

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering and Technology, Nagpur – 441108, Maharashtra, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat – 395007, Gujarat, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur – 441110, Maharashtra, India

Abstract: Solar energy represents our largest source of renewable energy supply. Power generated by solar energy is relatively cheaper and much more environmental friendly compared to power generation using non-renewable sources. Selection of an appropriate solar energy technology depends on a large number of criteria including technological, economic, social and political factors. In the present work, an integrated digraph and analytic hierarchy process methodology is suggested for selection of solar energy technologies. The solar energy technology attributes digraph model presents a visual representation of the selection attributes considered and their interrelations. The solar energy technology preference index evaluates the solar energy alternatives with respect to economic, environmental, performance and social attributes. The relative importance of attributes is expressed using AHP. A detailed procedure for determination of solar energy technology preference index is suggested. Two examples are considered in order to demonstrate and validate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed methodology.

Keywords: solar energy; energy technology selection; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; digraph; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; solar power; integrated decision support; economic attributes; environmental attributes; performance attributes; social attributes; renewable technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2015.072102

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2015 Vol.6 No.4, pp.335 - 352

Accepted: 20 Jan 2015
Published online: 30 Sep 2015 *

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