GIS-based optimal site selection for the solar-powered hydrogen fuel charge stations

[Display omitted] •GIS-based assessment of solar powered hydrogen charge station locations under technical (C1), accessibility (C2), and environmental (C3) main criteria.•Kayseri has suitable regions of 38.1 km2 for solar powered hydrogen charge stations.•Highly suitable regions cover an average of 7.3 km2.•While the nearest lake to the highest suitable solar power plant is Lake Sarımsaklı, the farthest lake is Lake Tuzla.•Biggest suitable area inside the buffer zone of lakes is Ağcaşayar Dam.•Maximum annual solar production is 1,919 MWh/year, and hydrogen production is 34,933 tons/year in Ağcaşayar Dam. Energy consumption which is the most critical input in daily life is increasing constantly because of the growth of the world population and development of the devices. The transportation industry which is responsible for almost half of all worldwide emissions is switching to innovative devices run on renewable energy. Renewable-powered charging stations are important for reducing the environmental impact of vehicles. The objective of the study was to determine the best hydrogen charge station locations and rates which are supplied by coupled solar power plants. The GIS-based assessment was carried out with proper data from data sources such as Copernicus Land Monitoring (CLC 2018), and Global Solar Atlas (GSA). For the determination of suitable regions for solar power plants, eight sub-criteria were assessed under technical (C1), accessibility (C2), and environmental (C3) main criteria. Afterward, the obtained result map layer and suitability of the six determined water bodies, located in the study region, were investigated by assuming the buffer zone value. Results showed that the study area had suitable regions of 38.1 km2 indicating that %22.4 of it was convenient for the solar power plant investments. While Cihanbeyli Lake does not have the highest suitable region, the biggest suitable area inside the buffer zone of lakes was determined as the Ağcaşayar Dam. The maximum annual solar production level is obtained as 1,919 MWh/year in the Ağcaşayar Dam, with a hydrogen production of 34,933 tons/year. Consequently, the Ağcaşayar Dam is the best suitable destination for a hydrogen fuel station in Kayseri.