Multi-criteria decision-making in the location selection for a solar PV power plant using AHP

•Investigation was on at three different places in Turkey, for installation of a solar power plant.•AHP is used to analyse both quantitative and qualitative factors.•The factors can have an effect on the performance of a solar power plant.•The optimum azimuth angle of each location is found using data.•The data are found from pyranometer and Photovoltaic Geographical Information System. In today’s competitive and connected environment, many countries value effective management of solar energy due to both technological developments and government policies which consider renewable energy improvement along with the effective use of resources. In light of this, in this study, three different locations representing Igdir University, Melekli and Kulluk local regions of Turkey are examined to find the best place for setting up a solar PV power plant. First, the optimum azimuth angle of each location is found in terms of Ed, Em, Hd and Hm values taking daily and monthly irradiation via both pyranometer and Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS). Then, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to evaluate locations taking into consideration both quantitative and qualitative factors which play an effective role on the electricity production. The problem is solved in two ways; i) using the exact amount of electricity production data achieved by measurement and ii) using linguistic data provided by a decision maker. Based on results, Kulluk is the ideal location for installation of PV power plant.