Strategic model for location selection of solar wood drying by applying TOPSIS

The location of solar wood drying has not been selected in Iran yet. One of important applications of solar energy is to manufacture solar wood drying units. Effective indicators in location of solar wood drying were identified and a hierarchy was constructed based on five major groups of criteria. The weights of the indicators were then established by Analytical Hierarchy Process. The amounts of the indicators with regard to provinces were obtained from wood drying factories in public and private sectors. These weights were employed in TOPSIS to rank the provinces. Finally the potential provinces were identified according to the priorities obtained by this technique. The results showed that Qom Province, has the best priorities for establishment of solar wood drying.