Justification of Solar Home System in Rural Bangladesh based on Risk Indicators: An Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach

Abstract

In this study, the use of Solar Home Systems (SHS), in rural regions of Bangladesh, is justified compared to alternative sources of energy technologies. Various risk indicators of SHS, Solar-Diesel Hybrid Mini-grid, Biogas Plant and Wind Turbine are analysed and then ranked. An integrated Best Worst Method (BWM) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) method is proposed to select the best renewable energy technology based on risk indicators. At first, nine (9) risk indicators were selected based on literature review and experts’ opinion. Then, BWM was deployed to find the weights of the risk indicators. Finally, a Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method, named WASPAS, was applied to select the optimum renewable energy technology for the study area. The results revealed that the SHS is the best technology. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to check the consistency of the rank order. The outcome of this study and the decision model might be applicable to other isolated areas in the country as well as other developing countries.