Site screening
Solar GIS Constraint Screening
Use GIS evidence to identify intersecting constraints, proximity risks and the usable-area implications for a candidate solar site.
Why this workflow matters
GIS screening is most useful when every layer has a defined decision purpose. Intersection layers identify mapped overlaps, distance layers describe context, and unavailable sources remain visible rather than being treated as favourable.
Questions to answer
- Which mapped constraints intersect the site?
- Which nearby features require buffers or specialist review?
- How much of the gross area may remain usable?
- How current and authoritative is each dataset?
Recommended workflow
- 1Validate the site polygon and coordinate reference system.
- 2Run intersection and proximity checks using named data sources.
- 3Quantify affected area where geometry supports it.
- 4Record source dates, limitations and verification actions in a constraint register.
Evidence to collect
- ✓ Saved site boundary
- ✓ Protected-area and flood geometries
- ✓ Water, infrastructure and terrain context
- ✓ Source URLs, versions and retrieval dates
Decision-ready outputs
- → Constraint map and legend
- → Affected-area and proximity summary
- → Traceable constraint register
Market application
- Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany apply different national, regional and municipal planning controls; EU-wide layers are an initial evidence layer only.
- Grid feasibility must be checked through the relevant transmission or distribution system operator, including queue, capacity, studies and connection route.
- Cadastral boundaries, land rights, local setbacks and permit status require current national or competent-authority evidence.
Worked example
Fictional mapped overlap
- Basis
- An EU reporting layer intersects 8% of a candidate boundary while a national source has not yet been obtained.
- Screening response
- Record the overlap as a screening trigger, preserve its identifier and request the current national dataset before assigning a legal buffer or usable-area deduction.
- Limitation
- Intersection does not by itself establish legal effect, severity or development prohibition.
Authoritative starting points
Use these primary sources to begin verification, then obtain the current competent-authority evidence for the project market.
- European Commission — INSPIRE Geoportal ↗
Discovery of official European spatial datasets and metadata
- European Commission — Environmental Impact Assessment ↗
EU environmental-assessment framework and Member State implementation context
- European Commission — Floods Directive ↗
Strategic flood-risk reporting framework and competent-authority context
- AWS Open Data — Terrain Tiles ↗
Source registry for the regional DEM mosaic used in preliminary terrain screening
Review status: SolarDev AI internal methodology review; independent technical review not yet published.