Ordering of Solar Photovoltaic Panels using the MEREC-SPOTIS Hybrid Analytical Model

In the quest for renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels, solar energy has been gaining prominence on a global scale. Furthermore, the increasingly lower prices of solar panels make solar energy more competitive, thereby increasing the interest in the installation of photovoltaic systems in homes and businesses. This study aimed to rank alternatives for photovoltaic panels, employing the Method for Eliminating Effects on Criteria (MEREC) method combined with the Stable Preference Ordering Towards Ideal Solution (SPOTIS) method, both of which are advanced Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods. These methods were applied to evaluate solar panels based on criteria such as Power (W), Price (R$), Weight (Kg), Operating Temperature (°C), and Warranty (years). As a result, the SPOTIS method, using the weights generated by the MEREC method, ranked the brands in the following order: 1st - Shinefar; 2nd - JA Solar; 3rd - Canadian Solar; 4th - Amerisolar. This article made a significant contribution to society and scientific research in the field of Operations Research, as the methodology applied is adaptable to various commercial and industrial contexts.