Feasibility of deploying solar power park using hybrid AHP-TOPSIS analysis: case study of Uttarakhand

The Government of Uttarakhand has undertaken significant initiatives to promote renewable energy development to meet growing demand while safeguarding the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. In this context, the present study evaluates the feasibility of deploying large-scale solar power parks in Uttarakhand using a hybrid Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)–TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making framework. Five potential locations—Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, Almora, and Udham Singh Nagar—are assessed based on a comprehensive STEEP (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political) framework comprising 18 sub-criteria. AHP is employed to determine the relative importance of the criteria, while TOPSIS is used to rank the candidate sites according to their closeness to the ideal solution. The results indicate Udham Singh Nagar as the most feasible location for solar park deployment, owing to its high solar irradiation potential, developed infrastructure, land availability, and comparatively lower environmental sensitivity. Haridwar and Dehradun follow as the second and third preferred locations, respectively. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the hybrid AHP–TOPSIS approach in integrating technical, environmental, and socio-economic considerations for solar site selection. The study provides practical insights for policymakers and planners to support informed decision-making for sustainable solar energy investments, contributing to energy security, ecological conservation, and regional sustainable development.