## 2 Dataset and Methodology
### Dataset and Criteria
#### 2.3.1 Global Horizontal Irradiation  
Global horizontal irradiation (GHI) is a key criterion in the AHP for evaluating potential locations for solar energy projects. The GHI represents the total amount of solar radiation received per unit area on a horizontal surface over a specific time period, typically measured in kWh/m\({}^{2}\)/day or kWh/m\({}^{2}\)/year. The GHI consists of two primary components, which are the direct normal irradiation and the diffuse horizontal irradiation. Also, the GHI is the sum of the direct normal irradiation and the diffuse horizontal irradiation. It is a critical parameter for assessing the solar energy potential of a region because it directly impacts the amount of energy a solar power plant can generate. The GHI can be obtained from ground-based measurements, satellite-derived datasets, and numerical weather prediction models. However, due to the sparse distribution of ground stations, satellite-based  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Type** & **Dataset** & **Source** & **Criteria** & **Value** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Raster} & GHI & Global Solar Atlas & Climate & 250 m \\  & Wind Speed & Global Wind Atlas & Climate & 50 m \\  & DEM & ASTER & Topography & 30 m \\  & Slope & DEM via ASTER & Topography & 30 m \\  & Aspect & DEM via ASTER & Topography & 30 m \\  & LULC & CORINE & Location & 100 m \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Vector} & Fault Line & GMRE & Location & Rasterization to 30 m \\  & Road Line & OSM & Location & Rasterization to 30 m \\ \cline{1-1}  & Powerline & OSM & Location & Rasterization to 30 m \\ \cline{1-1}  & PV Installations & Google Earth & Location & Rasterization to 30 m \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 3: Data sources and criteria.  
datasets are widely utilized for large-scale solar energy assessments. The GHI is a crucial factor in determining the feasibility of photovoltaic PV farms. Higher GHI values indicate greater solar energy potential, making it an essential input for GIS-based solar energy suitability analyses. Regions with GHI values above 1500 kWh/m\({}^{2}\)/year are generally suitable for PV farms. In Gaziantep, the GHI plays a significant role in determining the suitability of land for PV farms [31; 35; 43; 44; 45]. The Global Solar Atlas provides annual GHI values for Turkey, which are crucial for determining the solar energy potential of different regions [33]. In this context, annual GHI data for Gaziantep were obtained and used to identify suitable areas for PV farms. These GHI values are essential for evaluating the solar energy potential, as higher GHI values correlate with increased energy production capabilities, making regions with favorable irradiation levels more suitable for large-scale solar projects. The GHI values range between 1505 and 1920 kWh/m\({}^{2}\), and these values were categorized into four classes for suitability evaluation [17; 19; 26]. Suitability classes were determined within the range of 1550 to 1850 kWh/m\({}^{2}\). The classification was established in intervals of 100 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) to differentiate areas based on their solar energy potential. Gaziantep is an attractive location for solar energy investments as regions with high GHI can generate more solar power, leading to higher efficiency and output.