Determination of the Suitable Locations for Solar Parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Global warming and consequently climate change on Earth is a long-term process that has intensified in recent decades. To slow down this trend, many countries resort to more intensive use of alternative, renewable energy sources, and at the same time with a decrease in the share of nonrenewable energy sources in the energy balance. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a large consumer of fossil fuels. Thanks to its geographical location in Europe, it has a great solar potential that is currently underutilized. The subject of research is to determine the most suitable locations for constructing solar parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis of selected natural and anthropogenic criteria was done using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, after which the obtained results were integrated into geographic information systems. By removing the unsuitable or exclusionary factors, a final map was generated displaying the potentially suitable areas for solar energy utilization. The European Union emphasizes the significance of energy policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina in its integration process into the European Union. By expanding solar energy capacity, it would contribute to meeting global requirements for environmental protection and natural resource conservation, while also enhancing the energy independence of the country. This analysis serves as an incentive for a quicker and more efficient transition towards increased utilization of abundant and freely available solar energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.