The Future of Renewable Energy Investments in Zimbabwe.
1. Introduction
Zimbabwe faces a pivotal opportunity to transform its energy sector through renewable investments, particularly in solar power. With abundant sunshine yet persistent power shortages and policy challenges, the country’s energy landscape is at a crossroads (Ngwenya and Hull, 2024; Chiwaridzo, 2023). This blog explores five critical angles shaping the future of solar energy investments in Zimbabwe. From high-tech planning tools like GIS-based predictive models to innovative risk management via parametric insurance, and from policy reforms to on-the-ground projects such as factory rooftop solar systems and local solar panel manufacturing. Each section draws on recent research and global best practices to provide a comprehensive roadmap for Zimbabwe’s solar-powered future.
2. Developing Predictive Models Using GIS for Optimal Solar.
Identifying where to invest in solar infrastructure is a complex decision-making problem that can be greatly assisted by Geographic Information Systems[1] (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis. GIS-based predictive models allow planners to map out areas with the highest solar potential while accounting for practical constraints and infrastructure needs. For instance, a recent study in Zimbabwe used GIS and the Analytic Hierarchy Process[2] (AHP) to evaluate multiple criteria which include solar irradiance, land use, elevation, and proximity to the power grid to find the most suitable locations for renewable energy plants (Nguyen & Pearce, 2025; Ngwenya & Hull, 2024). The model produced raster-based[3] suitability maps highlighting prime sites for solar farms. One key finding was that Hwange district in Matabeleland North has the largest potential land area (≈26,974 km²) for solar power installations due to its high sunshine levels and available land (Ngwenya & Hull, 2024). Other areas around Bulawayo and parts of Matabeleland South also showed extremely high suitability for solar PV development (Ngwenya & Hull, 2024). Ngwenya & Hull’s study is further cemented by research also conducted by the world bank and the results overlap as seen in figure 1. Notably, the highest-weighted factor in such site selection models is often solar irradiance itself, unsurprising given that abundant sunshine drives energy output (Nguyen & Pearce, 2025). However, factors like terrain slope, accessibility, and grid connectivity play significant roles as well, since a flat, accessible site near transmission lines will be far more cost-effective to develop (Nguyen & Pearce, 2025; Ngwenya & Hull, 2024).
Figure 1: Solar photovoltaic power potential map of Zimbabwe.
Source: World Bank (2019)
Notes: Solar photovoltaic power potential map of Zimbabwe, illustrating long-term average PV output (kWh/kWp). Areas in red and orange have the highest solar energy potential, concentrated in the west and central regions.
By integrating such spatial data, predictive GIS models can guide investors and policymakers toward solar sweet spots areas where projects will yield maximum output for minimum cost. For example, these models help avoid placing solar farms too far from grid infrastructure or in environmentally sensitive zones. They also allow scenario analysis where planners can adjust criteria weights, for example prioritize proximity to industrial demand centres to see how the optimal sites shift. The methodology is being refined with advanced techniques. In a recent study, an AI-based hybrid model was introduced to prioritize decision-maker inputs and weight criteria for emerging renewable tech investments (Kou et al., 2025). Interestingly, Kou et al found the regulatory environment to be the most critical factor for renewable investment success, slightly above financial feasibility. In practice, this means even the best GIS model must be paired with supportive policies to turn maps into projects. Nonetheless, applying GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is a foundational step. It provides a data-driven blueprint of where Zimbabwe’s solar farms and off-grid installations should be located from sunny rural expanses to large factory rooftops in urban zones. By leveraging GIS to identify optimal sites, Zimbabwe can channel investments into the most promising locations and avoid costly mistakes, ultimately accelerating the rollout of solar capacity.
3. Parametric Insurance as a Risk Management Tool for Solar Investments.
Investing in solar infrastructure comes with various risks from weather variability to physical damage. These risks can deter financiers and project developers. Parametric insurance offers an innovative way to manage these risks and bolster investor confidence. Unlike traditional insurance, which pays out based on proven loss or damage, parametric insurance pays out when a predefined event or index threshold is met (Eti et al., 2025). This provides fast, automatic compensation, crucially important for keeping small-scale renewable projects viable through shocks (Eti et al., 2025). Research highlights that parametric insurance can serve as a comprehensive financial safety net, ensuring business continuity for solar ventures in the face of adverse events (Eti et al., 2025). For instance, if an abnormally cloudy season reduces a solar farm’s output, a parametric policy could trigger a payout based on the shortfall in sunshine, helping the operator meet debt payments despite the dip in revenue.
Designing an effective parametric insurance scheme for solar projects requires careful consideration of triggers and coverage parameters. A recent study by Eti et al. (2025) proposed a fuzzy decision-making model to optimize parametric insurance for small-scale solar panel investments. Through expert input and criteria weighting, the study identified key factors that such insurance must balance adaptability in terms of flexibility to adjust to changing climate patterns or project conditions, coverage limit in terms of ensuring the payout caps are neither too low nor unsustainably high, policy term length, premium cost, and the specific trigger parameter used (Eti et al., 2025). Adaptability and coverage limits were noted as especially important for creating effective parametric products, as they determine how well the insurance can respond to unexpected changes and protect both insurer and insured from extreme losses (Eti et al., 2025).
For Zimbabwe, parametric insurance could be transformative, particularly in attracting financing for solar projects in a region prone to climate variability. With rainfall patterns shifting and droughts affecting hydropower, insurers and investors are aware of weather-related risks. In the solar context, one might imagine a parametric cover that pays out if annual global horizontal irradiance falls more than, say, 10% below the long-term average a rare event, but one that could severely impact project revenues. It could also cover extreme events like hailstorms, which elsewhere have caused significant solar panel damage, for example, insurers offer parametric hail insurance for solar farms in parts of Europe (Risk and Insurance, 2023). The advantage for Zimbabwean projects is that payouts would be swift and predefined, avoiding lengthy claims processes. This immediacy reduces uncertainty for lenders, thereby lowering the perceived risk premium on capital. Moreover, parametric policies can be tailored to each project’s unique risk profile for instance, different regions of Zimbabwe could have slightly different trigger thresholds based on their climate, and off-grid solar servicing a community might insure against prolonged cloud cover, whereas a grid-tied farm might focus on storm damage (Eti et al., 2025).
Global examples highlight how parametric insurance can support renewable energy financing. In Nepal, a parametric insurance solution enabled the financing of the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project by providing coverage against earthquake-related disruptions, thus overcoming traditional insurance barriers due to seismic risk (Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, 2023). Similarly, African Risk Capacity (ARC) programs have successfully used parametric drought insurance to protect farmers and could be extended to solar. To implement this in Zimbabwe, stakeholders (government, insurers, project developers) would need to collaborate on collecting high-quality meteorological data and defining triggers that are objective, transparent, and correlate strongly with project losses. As indicated in the literature, a challenge is the data-intensive nature of parametric products and the need to avoid coverage gaps (Eti et al., 2025). However, with modern satellite data and historical climate records, Zimbabwe can design robust indices.
In summary, parametric insurance can serve as a critical risk mitigation tool for Zimbabwe’s solar investments. By offering reliable financial protection against weather and other perils, it de-risks projects and makes them more bankable. The outcome is a virtuous cycle, more investors willing to fund solar farms or rooftop installations because they know that if nature does not cooperate, the insurance will kick in. Coupling this with traditional risk management and sound project design will enhance the financial sustainability of solar ventures which is a key ingredient for scaling renewable energy in Zimbabwe’s context.
4. Policy Recommendations & International Comparisons.
A supportive and consistent policy environment is the backbone of successful renewable energy investment. Zimbabwe’s current renewable energy policies, while aspirational on paper, have suffered from inconsistencies and implementation gaps that hinder progress (Chivhenge et al., 2023). The government has set targets for example, the National Renewable Energy Policy (NREP, 2019) aims for a substantial share of clean energy by 2030, and the nation’s climate commitments include reducing emissions by 1,278 GgCO₂ by 2030 (Chivhenge et al., 2023). However, policy inconsistency has been a major issue. A recent evaluation by Chivhenge et al. (2023) found that while Zimbabwe’s strategic documents emphasize resilience and low-carbon development, there are conflicting actions, such as commissioning new coal-fired power units (Hwange Thermal) and expanding fossil-fuel infrastructure, which run counter to these goals. These contradictions undermine investor trust, with poor policy implementation and lack of harmonisation among various laws and plans preventing a coherent decarbonisation roadmap (Chivhenge et al., 2023). For instance, overlapping mandates in the Environmental Management Act and the Forestry Act could be streamlined into a unified Climate Change Policy to avoid duplication and conflict (Chivhenge et al., 2023).
International comparisons provide clear lessons for policy formulation. Successful renewable energy adoption in countries such as Kenya and South Africa are intricately linked to stable, long-term policies like renewable energy auctions and feed-in tariffs. Conversely, policy uncertainty pushes firms toward fossil fuel investments, while strong regulatory environments significantly attract renewable energy-focused Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
A game-theoretic analysis by Karaca and Tütüncü (2025) on renewable investments under international trade law scenarios found that government support for renewable energy significantly increases renewable output and improves social welfare outcomes. Specifically, supportive government policies such as subsidies or carbon pricing mechanisms can lead to approximately 26% higher renewable generation and about 2.4% lower consumer power prices compared to a scenario without governmental intervention (Karaca & Tütüncü, 2025). This finding underscores the benefits of proactive policy intervention, such as tax incentives or guaranteed off-take agreements, for Zimbabwe’s renewable energy sector.
Furthermore, European experiences also illustrate crucial policy lessons. Khalique et al. (2025) found that strict environmental regulations effectively reduced emissions only when coupled with substantial public investment in renewable energy infrastructure. In short, governmental climate-significant investment (GCSI) public funding allocated specifically to climate and energy transition measures greatly enhances policy effectiveness in reducing emissions (Khalique et al., 2025). This study also highlighted regulatory inefficiencies such as slow permitting and grid integration issues as barriers to effective renewable implementation, suggesting the need for streamlined regulatory processes.
Applying these international lessons, Zimbabwe should establish clear renewable targets and supportive policies for example, feed-in tariffs or competitive renewable energy auctions, guarantees on power purchase agreements (PPAs), and dedicated national funding mechanisms to support clean energy projects. Simplifying licensing processes and guaranteeing grid access will also be essential. Zimbabwe’s recent moves toward net metering and independent power producer (IPP) approvals are positive steps (PVKnowHow, 2023), but scaling and sustaining these efforts will be critical. Encouragingly, Zimbabwe is already taking concrete steps toward an improved investment climate. According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), energy projects attracted the highest investment commitments of any sector in 2023. In 2023 quarter three alone, six new renewable energy projects were licensed with a total projected value of about US$2.8 billion (ZIDA, 2023). To build on this momentum, authorities have prioritized regulatory clarity, finalizing Special Economic Zone and General Investment regulations to streamline the licensing process and fees (ZIDA, 2023). In May 2024, the Government approved a comprehensive policy framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to encourage private investment in infrastructure, outlining clear models for development and joint ventures (ZIDA, 2024a). This framework is already spurring projects at various scales from a 1 MW solar photovoltaic farm at the Harare Institute of Technology under a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement (ZIDA, 2023). Also, a city-led waste-to-energy project in Gweru under a joint venture PPP agreement (ZIDA, 2024b). To further ease investment, ZIDA has launched a “DIY” online Investor Licensing Portal designed to streamline approvals, allowing investors to conveniently secure licenses and access information from anywhere in the world (ZIDA, 2024b). Collectively, these measures signal an improving, more transparent landscape for renewable energy investments which are a critical factor in attracting both domestic and foreign capital to Zimbabwe’s solar sector.
5. Factory Rooftop Solar Projects & Financial Feasibility.
One practical and exciting avenue for scaling up solar in Zimbabwe is the utilization of idle industrial infrastructure, particularly the vast rooftops of closed factories in areas like Belmont Bulawayo and Workington Harare. The proposition is straightforward, lease these large, structurally sound rooftops to solar developers, who install approximately 1.5 MW photovoltaic (PV) systems on each. If one hundred such sites were equipped, this would amount to roughly 150 MW of new solar capacity feeding into the grid or local networks. This approach transforms dormant assets into clean power generators and revenue sources and aligns with global trends where commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops are increasingly being utilized for solar PV installations (Kumar & Choudhary, 2023).
Financial feasibility studies suggest this approach is viable if properly structured. In Zimbabwe’s sunny climate, a 1.5 MW PV system, assuming about five average peak sun hours per day, could generate approximately 2,500–2,800 MWh annually. At a conservative feed-in tariff or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) rate of $0.10 per kWh, this translates to about $250,000 or more annual revenue per site, totalling around $25 million per year across one hundred sites. The installation cost for solar systems in Zimbabwe typically ranges from $1.5 to $2 million per megawatt, slightly higher than the global average due to higher financing and import costs (Samu & Fahrioglu, 2017). For instance, a 1 MW rooftop solar installation at a Harare factory in 2019 cost around $2 million (Africa Energy, 2019). Using a higher-end conservative estimate, each 1.5 MW system could cost approximately $3 million, suggesting payback periods of about 5–8 years, aligning well with international norms for commercial solar projects typically showing paybacks of 6–10 years (Amplus Solar, 2023). For context, a similar 1 MW rooftop project on a Melbourne data centre achieved a payback period of 6.6 years due to certificate credits (One Step Off The Grid, 2022).
Zimbabwe currently lacks extensive financial incentives but has high electricity tariffs, which significantly enhance the economic attractiveness of solar installations (PVKnowHow, 2023). One significant advantage of rooftop solar is the elimination of land acquisition costs and related conflicts, since existing factory rooftops provide ready-made locations near urban and industrial load centres, substantially reducing transmission losses.
A successful local example is the Schweppes Zimbabwe 1 MW rooftop solar installation, commissioned in 2019 by Distributed Power Africa. This system significantly reduced reliance on diesel generators, demonstrating strong economic and practical viability despite high initial investment costs (Africa Energy, 2019).
To scale this model effectively, several considerations are critical for example Zimbabwe’s energy regulator (ZERA) must facilitate grid connections and fair pricing structures for medium-scale solar installations. Policy stability, clear net metering guidelines, and guaranteed power purchase agreements (PPAs) are essential for investor confidence. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s economic volatility necessitates PPAs denominated in stable currencies like USD to attract international finance. Securing funding from climate funds or development banks could further enhance project feasibility (PVKnowHow, 2023). Moreover, structural assessments and potential refurbishments of factory rooftops are necessary to ensure they can support PV installations. Notably, solar panels typically extend roof lifespans by offering protection from weather elements, creating additional value for property owners. Also, aggregating installations under a single entity could create significant economies of scale. This could involve public-private partnerships or private consortiums negotiating bulk installation deals, significantly reducing overall costs.
Comparative analyses with similar projects internationally highlight Zimbabwe’s favourable conditions, such as lower labour costs and abundant solar resources. However, higher capital costs and economic volatility present unique challenges compared to regions with established renewable incentives (PVKnowHow, 2023). Overall, implementing factory rooftop solar projects appears economically promising, with estimated payback periods offering attractive long-term returns. This initiative could significantly mitigate Zimbabwe’s urban power deficits, stimulate investor confidence, and set a regional precedent for innovative renewable energy deployment.
Comparing Zimbabwe’s market conditions to similar international projects, a few differences stand out. Labor costs in Zimbabwe are relatively low, which is favourable for installation and maintenance. The solar resource is excellent, with many areas yielding over 1,800 kWh per kW annually, which is better than in Europe and comparable to South Africa’s. On the other hand, the cost of capital is higher in Zimbabwe due to perceived economic risks, and there are currently no substantial subsidies available (PVKnowHow, 2023). Countries such as the United States or Australia typically offer commercial solar projects benefits like tax credits or accelerated depreciation (One Step Off The Grid, 2022). Zimbabwe could similarly consider tax incentives, including duty-free imports and zero VAT on solar equipment, which are policies already implemented or under consideration (PVKnowHow, 2023).
Despite these challenges, the overall economic viability appears promising. If each 1.5 MW installation achieves a payback period of approximately 6–7 years, the remaining 18–19 years of its operational lifespan would generate considerable profit beyond minor operations and maintenance costs. Installing 150 MW of distributed solar capacity could significantly alleviate Zimbabwe’s daytime power shortages, which have negatively impacted mining and industrial productivity in recent years. This combined capacity could generate around 270 GWh annually, equivalent to approximately 3–4% of Zimbabwe’s total electricity generation, which was around 8,000 GWh in 2022 (PVKnowHow, 2023). Additionally, such a program would signal to investors that Zimbabwe is open to innovative renewable energy solutions, potentially unlocking further investment. Turning idle factory rooftops into productive mini solar power stations thus presents a strong business case. With a reasonable return on investment (ROI) and multiple stakeholders benefiting, it is an idea whose time has come. The government and private sector should collaborate to identify suitable factory roofs and develop structured deals to initiate these projects. If executed effectively, Zimbabwe could pioneer this rooftop solar model in the region, revitalizing industrial zones through clean energy hubs and setting a regional benchmark for renewable energy development.
6. Solar Panel Manufacturing & Economic Impact.
As Zimbabwe ramps up solar energy projects, a compelling question arises, should the country also localize part of the solar supply chain by manufacturing solar panels or related components domestically? Developing a local solar manufacturing industry could have significant economic benefits job creation, technology transfer, and industrial diversification, but it also faces steep challenges in terms of scale, capital, and competition with global manufacturers. Here, we examine the feasibility of establishing a solar panel manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe and its potential downstream impacts.
First, consider the basic requirements for solar panel manufacturing. Photovoltaic modules consist of solar cells (usually silicon-based), glass, polymer encapsulants, back sheet, aluminium frame, and wiring. The most technically demanding part is the production of solar cells from raw silicon (ingots, wafers, cell fabrication), which is capital-intensive and dominated by a few countries, notably China (Energy Monitor, 2023). It may not be realistic for Zimbabwe to start with full silicon PV manufacturing given the need for ultra-pure silicon, precision equipment, and significant economies of scale. However, solar module assembly, importing solar cells and other materials, and assembling them into finished panels is far more feasible. This typically involves tabbing and stringing cells, lamination with glass and encapsulant, framing, and testing. Several African countries have pursued this route, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Morocco, demonstrating that local manufacturing can take root with appropriate market conditions and incentives (Energy Monitor, 2023).
Zimbabwe possesses some strengths it can leverage, such as a skilled workforce, industrial infrastructure, and regional market demand from neighbouring countries that currently import solar panels (PVKnowHow, 2023). Local production could potentially serve the broader SADC market, supported by regional trade agreements. Zimbabwe also has relevant natural resources, including substantial silica sand deposits for glass production, and aluminium, which could support local component manufacturing. Initially, critical inputs such as solar cells would likely be imported, focusing domestic efforts on module assembly and possibly aluminium frame fabrication.
The economic impact of setting up a PV module plant can be significant, creating direct factory jobs such as technicians, engineers, operators and potentially hundreds of jobs for a 50 MW/year plant. Also, numerous indirect jobs in supply chains and distribution networks will be created. Local manufacturing can reduce costs and delivery times, thus stimulating more solar installations and ancillary industry growth, such as glass manufacturing or metalwork. Indeed, investing in human capital and advanced methods in renewable manufacturing can significantly enhance economic outcomes in developing countries (Yao et al., 2025).
However, the global solar panel market is highly competitive, with extremely narrow profit margins driven primarily by Chinese manufacturers benefiting from massive scale and governmental support (Energy Monitor, 2023). Zimbabwean manufacturing would likely incur higher initial costs, necessitating policy support such as local content requirements or targeted subsidies to achieve competitiveness. Protective measures such as tariffs may increase the cost of renewable installations, presenting policymakers with a challenge between industrial and energy deployment goals.
Another critical challenge is achieving sufficient scale for cost-effective operation, requiring sustained demand in the tens of megawatts annually. Encouragingly, Zimbabwe approved a pipeline of 271 MW of PV projects in early 2024, providing potential local market demand (PVKnowHow, 2023). Additionally, regional markets, especially South Africa, present export opportunities, although regional competition must also be considered.
On the technology front, Zimbabwe would likely require technical partnerships or foreign investments to establish such manufacturing facilities effectively. Examples such as Kenya’s Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park illustrate successful strategies using special economic zones (SEZs) offering tax incentives, infrastructure support, and reliable utilities to attract manufacturing investment (Energy Monitor, 2023). Over time, Zimbabwe’s facilities could diversify from solar panel assembly to battery packs or LED lighting, evolving into broader clean-energy manufacturing hubs.
From an employment perspective, establishing solar panel manufacturing facilities could significantly impact Zimbabwe’s job market, creating hundreds of direct jobs and many indirect opportunities. High-quality skilled employment opportunities could directly contribute to addressing unemployment issues, building local expertise, and enhancing national energy security by reducing dependence on imported renewable technologies (Energy Monitor, 2023).
In conclusion, establishing a solar panel manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe, initially focused on assembly, is feasible and can yield considerable economic and strategic benefits if adequately supported by targeted incentives and strategic partnerships. With smart planning, Zimbabwe can leverage local resources and capabilities, potentially sparking a broader industrial revival and enhancing the nation’s role in Africa’s renewable energy transition (Energy Monitor, 2023).
7. Conclusion.
Zimbabwe’s energy future could be bright if it embraces the opportunities in solar power investment with a holistic and forward-looking strategy. By using tools like GIS-based models to map out optimal sites, the country can ensure that each dollar invested in renewables goes to the most impactful location. By implementing innovative risk management instruments such as parametric insurance, it can attract financing and safeguard projects against climatic uncertainties, keeping the momentum even when nature is unpredictable. Crucially, Zimbabwe must continue to reform and strengthen its policy environment, learning from international best practices to create consistent, investor-friendly frameworks that encourage both domestic and foreign players to commit to long-term solar projects. On the project front, initiatives like turning idle factory rooftops into power generators show how pragmatic solutions can add significant capacity while yielding profitable returns, a demonstration that renewable energy can be a sound business in Zimbabwe. And looking further, building local capacity through solar manufacturing can tie the renewable rollout into broader economic development, creating green jobs and fostering technological knowledge. The impacts of scaling up solar investment in Zimbabwe will be far-reaching. In the energy sector, it will alleviate chronic power shortages, reduce reliance on costly and polluting diesel and coal, and improve the resilience of the grid for instance, distributed solar can bolster voltage in weak grid areas and provide power during outages, especially if coupled with storage. Economically, cheaper and more reliable electricity will enhance industrial productivity and could attract new industries as power is often cited as a top barrier to business in Zimbabwe. Socially, expanded renewable energy access through grid-tied capacity and possibly off-grid solar for rural communities will improve quality of life, from lighting homes and schools to powering water pumps and clinics. Environmentally, every megawatt of solar displaces significant amounts of fossil fuel generation, cutting carbon emissions and local air pollution. This aligns Zimbabwe with global climate action efforts and could open doors to climate finance and carbon credits. One cannot ignore the challenges that remain financing large-scale adoption will require innovative funding models and likely international support. Managing the transition for existing power sector players like the utility and coal sector workers needs careful planning and the intermittency of solar means investments in energy storage and grid upgrades should accompany the PV installations. Yet, the theoretical and practical considerations discussed backed by research evidence and real-world analogues give confidence that these challenges are surmountable. As studies repeatedly show, factors like strong regulatory frameworks, investment in technology and human capital, and creative financial instruments are the determinants of success in renewable energy ventures. Zimbabwe has these insights at hand. In crafting the future of renewable energy investments, Zimbabwe stands to gain not only energy security but also a foothold in the green economy of tomorrow. The sun-soaked nation can ill-afford to lag in the global solar surge. Instead, by implementing the right policies, leveraging innovative tools and financial mechanisms, and fostering local enterprise and innovation, Zimbabwe can become a regional leader in solar energy. The transition will not happen overnight, but the path is clear and the building blocks such as sunlight, human talent, and political will are available. The next decade could witness Zimbabwe’s transformation from energy deficit to energy surplus, powered by clean, abundant solar power. In doing so, it will fulfil the dual promise of brighter lights for its people and a lighter footprint on the planet.
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Disclaimer: This essay is intended for academic and illustrative purposes, drawing on multiple sources to analyse Zimbabwe’s solar energy investment landscape, including policy frameworks, risk management strategies, technological advancements, and economic implications.
[1] Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a technology that helps us visualize, analyse, and understand data related to locations on a map. Think of it like Google Maps but with advanced tools that allow experts to study patterns and make better decisions. For example, in solar energy planning, GIS can help identify the best locations for solar farms by analysing factors like sunshine levels, land type, proximity to power lines, and terrain. By layering several types of data on a digital map, GIS makes it easier for governments, businesses, and scientists to find the most efficient and cost-effective places to set up renewable energy projects.
[2] Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a decision-making tool that helps people choose the best option when they have multiple factors to consider. It works by breaking a complex decision into smaller, easier-to-understand parts and ranking them based on their importance.
[3] Raster-based suitability is a way of using digital maps to find the best locations for a specific purpose, like building a solar farm or a new road.