Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS

China's extensive mining history has led to the formation of numerous abandoned mines and coal gangue hills, which pose significant environmental and social challenges. These sites contribute to ecological degradation, environmental pollution, and socio-economic issues such as unemployment and...

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Main Authors: Fang Shi, Xiaodan Li, MIngrui Li, Bo Bai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-05-01
Series:Energy Strategy Reviews
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X25000859
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author Fang Shi
Xiaodan Li
MIngrui Li
Bo Bai
author_facet Fang Shi
Xiaodan Li
MIngrui Li
Bo Bai
author_sort Fang Shi
collection DOAJ
description China's extensive mining history has led to the formation of numerous abandoned mines and coal gangue hills, which pose significant environmental and social challenges. These sites contribute to ecological degradation, environmental pollution, and socio-economic issues such as unemployment and urban decline. Addressing the management and transformation of these mining wastelands is crucial for sustainable development. This study explores the potential of establishing photovoltaic (PV) power plants on gangue hills as a means of environmental rehabilitation and economic revitalization. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the research develops a site selection model to evaluate suitable areas for PV construction on gangue hills. The model considers multiple factors, including economic, transportation, geographical, environmental, and social impacts, to ensure optimal site selection and sustainable development. The study focuses on Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, a major coal mining region, and identifies 14 gangue hills suitable for PV construction. The results demonstrate that PV projects on gangue hills can achieve dual benefits of ecological restoration and economic efficiency. The research proposes three development strategies: science popularization and entertainment construction, resource reclamation construction, and ecological restoration construction, tailored to different types of gangue hills. This study provides a comprehensive framework for the sustainable utilization of mining wastelands, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.
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spelling doaj-art-cdcfc34cfec348d0947660abca7a4f002025-08-20T03:10:39ZengElsevierEnergy Strategy Reviews2211-467X2025-05-015910172210.1016/j.esr.2025.101722Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSISFang Shi0Xiaodan Li1MIngrui Li2Bo Bai3School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaSchool of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, China; Corresponding author.School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaBay Area International Business School, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai Campus, Guangdong, ChinaChina's extensive mining history has led to the formation of numerous abandoned mines and coal gangue hills, which pose significant environmental and social challenges. These sites contribute to ecological degradation, environmental pollution, and socio-economic issues such as unemployment and urban decline. Addressing the management and transformation of these mining wastelands is crucial for sustainable development. This study explores the potential of establishing photovoltaic (PV) power plants on gangue hills as a means of environmental rehabilitation and economic revitalization. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the research develops a site selection model to evaluate suitable areas for PV construction on gangue hills. The model considers multiple factors, including economic, transportation, geographical, environmental, and social impacts, to ensure optimal site selection and sustainable development. The study focuses on Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, a major coal mining region, and identifies 14 gangue hills suitable for PV construction. The results demonstrate that PV projects on gangue hills can achieve dual benefits of ecological restoration and economic efficiency. The research proposes three development strategies: science popularization and entertainment construction, resource reclamation construction, and ecological restoration construction, tailored to different types of gangue hills. This study provides a comprehensive framework for the sustainable utilization of mining wastelands, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X25000859Gangue hillsPhotovoltaic power plantsSite selectionGISTOPSISEnvironmental rehabilitation
spellingShingle Fang Shi
Xiaodan Li
MIngrui Li
Bo Bai
Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
Energy Strategy Reviews
Gangue hills
Photovoltaic power plants
Site selection
GIS
TOPSIS
Environmental rehabilitation
title Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
title_full Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
title_fullStr Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
title_full_unstemmed Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
title_short Site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills: An integrated method based on GIS and AHP-TOPSIS
title_sort site selection strategy for photovoltaic power plants construction on gangue hills an integrated method based on gis and ahp topsis
topic Gangue hills
Photovoltaic power plants
Site selection
GIS
TOPSIS
Environmental rehabilitation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X25000859
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AT xiaodanli siteselectionstrategyforphotovoltaicpowerplantsconstructiononganguehillsanintegratedmethodbasedongisandahptopsis
AT mingruili siteselectionstrategyforphotovoltaicpowerplantsconstructiononganguehillsanintegratedmethodbasedongisandahptopsis
AT bobai siteselectionstrategyforphotovoltaicpowerplantsconstructiononganguehillsanintegratedmethodbasedongisandahptopsis