Abstract

MOLINA PFENNIG, Pedro Daniel  and  GONZALEZ-BAHEZA, Arturo. Assessment of Solar Radiation Resources in the Municipalities of Baja California Sur, Mexico, Using a Socio-environmental Suitability Model. Región y sociedad [online]. 2020, vol.32, e1296.  Epub Jan 27, 2021. ISSN 2448-4849.  https://doi.org/10.22198/rys2020/32/1296.

The objective of the work is to assess the suitability index for photovoltaic concentrator’s installation in Baja California Sur municipalities. The methodology proposes a suitability model incorporating six spatially explicit socio-environmental indicators with assignment of their differentiated contribution or weights by multi-criteria analysis. The results show the average annual horizontal irradiation in Baja California Sur is 6.19 kW h/m2/day for the 1998-2014 period. 5.25% of the total area in the state is viable for the installation of photovoltaic concentrators. Comondú, Mulegé and La Paz showed the highest suitability values. The road network, the electricity network and areas with 4° or less slope were the predominant indicators in the model. The study was limited to analyzing the influence of socio-environmental indicators on the photovoltaic concentrator systems location. Methodology could be replicated in other regions to facilitate decision making. The results suggest that the three Baja California Sur municipalities mentioned are the most favorable in socio-environmental terms to install such concentrators.

Keywords : photovoltaic concentrator system; Baja California Sur; alternative energies; geographic information systems; solar potential assessment; coastal municipalities; suitability model.

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