A multicriteria analysis of the installation sites for offshore solar within Spanish territory

Abstract

[Abstract]: As offshore solar energy becomes an increasingly viable alternative to other pollutant energy generation technologies, the tools used to support its development and deployment must evolve accordingly. In this context, it is important to consider both current regulatory restrictions and potential future constraints, such as the expansion of marine protected areas under initiatives like the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which could limit site availability. This paper proposes a general, user-friendly and scalable methodology for selecting the optimal location for an offshore solar platform along the Spanish coast, considering energy resource availability, installation conditions and environmental factors that could affect platform longevity. The parameters influencing site selection are outlined, with their respective weights determined through a survey. The geographical analysis used to generate the data is also described, along with the multicriteria analysis method employed to compare it.