ArcGIS Pro ModelBuilder Tutorial: Solar Power Plant (SPP) Site Suitability Analysis

ModelBuilder is a visual programming tool in ArcGIS that allows users to create, automate and manage geoprocessing workflows without writing code. In this step-by-step ArcGIS Pro tutorial, we build a complete Site Suitability Analysis model from scratch using ModelBuilder. We will determine the most suitable locations for a Solar Power Plant (SPP) installation within a specific basin boundary based on four criteria. Whether you are a student, researcher, or GIS professional, mastering ModelBuilder will allow you to automate your workflows, eliminate repetitive tasks, and build fully reusable spatial analysis tools. 📌 WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO: • How to initialize a model and configure environment settings (Output Coordinate System, Extent, and Mask). • Deriving secondary surface data (Slope in % rise and Aspect) from a raw Digital Elevation Model (DEM). • Calculating continuous proximity buffers using the Euclidean Distance tool. • Setting up Raster Analysis environments perfectly using Mask and Snap Raster to guarantee edge-to-edge pixel alignment. • Using Conditional Logic (Con tools) and Map Algebra to execute a Boolean (binary) suitability overlay. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 3:54 - Project Criteria Overview 5:41 - Setting up ModelBuilder & Environment Settings 7:43 - Criterion 1 - Used Elevation data with Con tool 11:19 - Criterion 2 - Used Slope and Con tools 14:35 - Criterion 3 - Used Aspect and Con tools 17:34 - Criterion 4 - Used Euclidean Distance and Con tools 22:56 - Overlay Analysis using Raster Calculator 26:27 - Extract by Mask to clip out study area 27:54 - Raster to Polygon tool 32:02 - Calculate Field 34:19 - Select tool 37:24 - Symbology 38:40 - ModelBuilder Parameters ⚙️ THE CRITERIA USED IN THIS EXERCISE: 1. Elevation: 500 m ≤ Suitable ≤ 1000 m 2. Slope: Flat terrain preferred (Suitable ≤ 10%) 3. Aspect: South-facing orientation (135° ≤ Suitable ≤ 225°) 4. Proximity: Distance to settlements must be ≥ 1 km (1000 meters) 💬 Let me know in the comments below: What other datasets would you add to this model for a real-world solar project? (e.g., proximity to the electrical grid, soil maps, protected land boundaries?) If this video helped you master spatial modeling workflows in ArcGIS Pro, please give it a LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more advanced GIS tutorials! #ArcGISPro #ModelBuilder #GIS #SpatialAnalysis #SolarEnergy #MapAlgebra #GeographicInformationSystems #ArcGIS #Tutorial