Evaluation of Adaptation of Solar PV Power Plants for Their Injection into the Electric Network of Northern Benin

Abstract:

This article presents the results of the suitability assessment and identification of favorable sites for photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the electricity grid in northern Benin. The integration of renewable energies into Benin's energy park constitutes a major challenge for which those in power are seeking an optimal solution. The north of the country has strong solar potential, we based our study on this region in order to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of photovoltaic power plants. The method adopted consists first of analyzing the opportunity to choose potential sites through the combination of a geographic information system (GIS) and a hierarchical analytical process (AHP) approach. In this process, nine (9) factors were weighted, namely solar irradiation, grid connection infrastructure, topography, land cover and use, surface and soil characteristics, environmental risks, flooding, restricted areas and distances from the road and power grid to determine potential sites. Then thanks to the Technique of Order of Preference by Similarity with the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the distances were optimized for the identification of the most favorable sites. The results of the application of the selection criteria applied to the northern zone around the substations of the Beninese Energy Electrical located in Bembereke, Djougou, Kandi, Natitingou and Parakou made it possible to identify 25 potential sites then 15 favorable sites. This hybrid method has the advantage of determining both favorable sites and the capacities of the resulting power plants.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 929)
• Pages: 21-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-jTw9U9
• Online since: December 2025
• Authors: Métolé Franck Kpassassi*, Patrice Chetangny, Victor Zogbochi, Macaire B. Agbomahena, Gerald Barbier, Didier Chamagne
• Keywords: Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), Geographic Information System (GIS), Identification of Suitable Sites, Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants, Suitability Assessment

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