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Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa
Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1869484207076540416 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mathoho, Mashudu |
| author2 | Mtshawu, Babalwa |
| author_browse | Mathoho, Mashudu Mtshawu, Babalwa |
| author_facet | Mtshawu, Babalwa Mathoho, Mashudu |
| author_sort | Mathoho, Mashudu |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136249 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:11:13.214Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/136249 Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa Mathoho, Mashudu Mtshawu, Babalwa Henrico, Ivan Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Military Sciences. School for Geospatial Studies and Information Systems. Renewable energy sources -- Military bases -- South Africa Solar energy -- Technology transfer -- South Africa Military bases -- Energy conservation -- South Africa Geographic information systems (GIS) Power resources -- Planning Sustainable development Energy resources -- Environmental aspects UCTD Thesis (MMil)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Mathoho, M. 2026. Assessing Renewable Energy Readiness on Military Bases: A Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy Adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/54d5ba16-405c-408a-acf3-20ef63047df3 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Energy resilience is no longer a civilian luxury but a strategic military necessity. Considering rising energy costs and increasing reliance on vulnerable national grids, this study explores the readiness of selected South African National Defence Force bases in the West Coast Region to adopt solar energy technologies. Leveraging the spatial power of geographic information systems and the decision-making strength of the analytic hierarchy process, this study evaluates the suitability of four military installations (Saldanha Military area, Air Force Base Langebaanweg, 4 Special Forces Regiment, and Air Force Base Ysterplaat) within the West Coast Region for solar photovoltaic deployment. This desktop-based study employed a multi-criteria decision analysis framework to incorporate environmental, operational, and infrastructural variables, such as slope, aspect, land cover, protected areas, elevation, land surface temperature, solar irradiance, and road proximity. Spatial datasets were processed and reclassified in ArcGIS Pro 3.5.2, and each criterion was weighted using the analytic hierarchy process to ensure consistency and decision accuracy. The final weighted overlay model revealed apparent spatial disparities in suitability, with the Saldanha Military area and Air Force Base Langebaanweg emerging as highly favourable owing to their expansive open terrain, limited spatial constraints, and high solar irradiance potential. Conversely, 4 Special Forces Regiments and Air Force Base Ysterplaat presented lower suitability owing to urbanisation and space limitations. Despite challenges, such as restricted access to sensitive data from Eskom and the Directorate of Intelligence, this study demonstrates that geospatial methods can be applied to assess and visualise renewable energy potential in military environments, enhancing strategic infrastructure planning and energy security. The findings reveal significant operational value for the South African National Defence Force and contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable energy in the defence environment. Recommendations include prioritising highly suitable bases for solar rollout, institutionalising geographic information systems-based energy planning, enhancing inter-agency data sharing, and cultivating partnerships with energy agencies and academic institutions. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar nie. Masters 2026-04-29T12:07:06Z 2026-04-29T12:07:06Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136249 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 138 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Renewable energy sources -- Military bases -- South Africa Solar energy -- Technology transfer -- South Africa Military bases -- Energy conservation -- South Africa Geographic information systems (GIS) Power resources -- Planning Sustainable development Energy resources -- Environmental aspects UCTD Mathoho, Mashudu Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title | Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title_full | Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title_short | Assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases: a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the West Coast Region of South Africa |
| title_sort | assessing renewable energy readiness on military bases a geospatial analysis of solar energy adoption in the west coast region of south africa |
| topic | Renewable energy sources -- Military bases -- South Africa Solar energy -- Technology transfer -- South Africa Military bases -- Energy conservation -- South Africa Geographic information systems (GIS) Power resources -- Planning Sustainable development Energy resources -- Environmental aspects UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/136249 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mathohomashudu assessingrenewableenergyreadinessonmilitarybasesageospatialanalysisofsolarenergyadoptioninthewestcoastregionofsouthafrica |