Data from: Solar energy landscapes in Nepal: Site suitability analysis of solar PV using a Geospatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis

Full description

Renewable energy deployment is expanding globally due to rising environmental concerns, rising fuel costs, and the need for long-term energy security. However, inadequate evidence-based knowledge and policies to support large-scale renewable energy deployment in developing nations like Nepal are hindering its penetration. Therefore, in this study, high-resolution spatial data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) was paired with Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify suitable sites for solar farm development in Nepal. This methodology employs criteria such as climate, economics, topography, and environment, including global horizontal irradiance (GHI), slope, aspect, elevation, land use, proximity to rivers, protected areas, roads, settlements, substations, and airports. These criteria were standardized, weighted using AHP, and combined through weighted overlay analysis to generate national-scale solar PV suitability maps. The analysis indicates that approximately 3 % of Nepal’s land area is suitable for solar farm development, with highly suitable areas primarily concentrated in the Terai plains and selected hilly regions where favourable solar resources, gentle terrain, and access to infrastructure coincide. The geospatial datasets and suitability maps generated through this analysis provide an analytical basis for renewable energy planning, spatial decision support, and policy formulation in Nepal.

Notes

External Organisations
Kathmandu University; Louisiana State University

Associated Persons
Manisha K. C. (Creator); Geeta Bhatta (Creator); Basant Awasthi (Creator); Sunil Prasad Lohani (Creator)