Determining suitable areas for wind and solar energy systems using GIS-based AHP method: The case of Şanlıurfa province

Since the beginning of its existence, humanity has sustained its life through the resources offered by nature; however, in the modern age, these resources have been pushed to their limits, reaching a critical threshold. Energy is not merely a technical necessity; it is a strategic element directly linked to a society's economic strength, environmental responsibility, and political independence. Today, energy policies are no longer confined to production targets alone; they have evolved into frameworks that define quality of life, sustainable development, and the legacy left to future generations. The depletion risk and environmental impacts of fossil fuels have made the transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources imperative. Although renewable energy sources are more environmentally compatible, they are not unlimited in use. Factors such as land use, environmental impacts, technical adequacy, and legal constraints play a decisive role in site selection for power plants. In this transformation process, renewable energy is not only a technical solution but also an ethical responsibility that redefines humanity's relationship with nature. This study aims to determine the most suitable areas for the establishment of energy production facilities based on wind and solar energy sources. Depending on specific conditions, Wind Power Plants (WPP) may be more advantageous in some cases, while Solar Power Plants (SPP) may be preferable in others. WPP installations tend to be more compatible with agricultural lands due to their relatively limited land requirements, whereas SPP can provide a significant efficiency advantage in areas with high solar radiation potential. In this context, Şanlıurfa province was selected as the test region for this study, owing to both the prevalence of agricultural activities and its high solar radiation levels. The suitability analysis was carried out using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). A total of 14 criteria were identified separately for both WPP and SPP. Among these, 13 common criteria, such as land use, aspect, slope, elevation, proximity to fault lines, settlements, protected areas, bird migration routes, airports, power lines, transformers, roads, and water sources, were considered, in addition to energy-specific criteria such as solar radiation and wind speed. The identified criteria were weighted based on expert opinions through the AHP method. The results indicate that the most suitable areas for SPP are widely distributed across Şanlıurfa, which is attributed to the region's high solar energy potential. On the other hand, the most suitable areas for WPP are concentrated in the Karacadağ region, located in the northeastern part of the province. Furthermore, overlapping areas suitable for both energy types were also identified. This study contributes to the spatial planning of environmentally friendly alternatives in energy production and supports the development of sustainable energy policies in Turkey.