Supplier Selection for Photovoltaic Module Installation Utilizing Fuzzy Inference and the VIKOR Method: A Green Approach

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Please see the attached document.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

Point 1. The paper is portrayed in very complicated way

Response 1: Several parts of the document has been improved in, e.g. the summary, conclusions and introduction have been reformulated. A literature review has added a valuation of diffuse cognitive maps, an input that aids decision making and the choice of the diffuse inference tool. Inaccuracies in the writing were corrected. Were added the research question. As a result, the objective of the article can be identified and fulfilled, besides the potentialities and limitations of the method are declared, what represents in an adequate explanation of the results

Point 2: The used technique is not properly described.

Response 2: The method used for the suppliers selection of PV technology is contained in eight steps that combine intuitionistic fuzzy sets with entropy and VIKOR methods. In the case of intuitionistic fuzzy sets has proposed to establish an integrated metric on suppliers through the three input variables. The IFS steps is resumed in the proposal of the language labels by the input variables, the arrangement of a MISO model and the generation of a decision matrix type A_{(i , j)}. VIKOR is applied from the A_{(i , j),} which aims to determine the classification limits that are exposed in each ones suppliers were selected. In addition, the entropy method is used to define the weight of each indicator through the decision matrix values. The combination of the weights of each indicator with the recorded maximum and minimum values defines the Si and Ri parameters respectively, which allows to calculate a ranking among the evaluated alternatives and to demonstrate acceptation or not the selection conditions. (text was added)

Point 3: It is not clear what are the findings and what are they for?

Response 3: The application of the combined method, IFS-VIKOR, to suppliers PV technology allows to conclude some relevant points. The first point is the access to data according to the chosen sources of qualifications: (1) evaluation given by the PV technology recipients, (2) self-assessment of suppliers on the correspondence with the indicators and (3) reconciliation of government information on this sector in the region, which represented a phase with some difficulty for the development of the study. Yet, it was resolved by reducing the number of suppliers that complied with the condition of complete data by each of the qualification sources. In addition, the next point is the results of the weighting of indicators that define that access to environmental licenses for projects, certification of management standards and guarantee deadlines on the service are the most important issues for respondents. Also, the supplier that exposes the best conditions, according to VIKOR, for acceptance is Su₄, where a balance between economic, environmental and technical indicators are converged. The verification of the decision conditions justifies this selection. Besides, it proves that the availability of data vague can create a causal relationship between the variables with a direct effect that positions each supplier in a selection ranking. In this way, the procedure applied can help decision making if multiple supply options are compared according to the analysis framework. (reformed).

Point 4: Abstract is not well informative.

Response 4: The necessary transformation of the world's energy matrices has led to a career in developing technologies based on renewable sources. In this context, photovoltaic panels and their components count in Brazil with a production and commercialization chain that accumulates a sustained growth in more than 100% of the generation capacities between the years 2018 to 2019 and that can fulfill or overcome this rhythm 2019 to 2020. Yet, the conditions of a competitive market and the availability of a significant number of middle and small companies for distribution and installation of photovoltaic technology may represent a scenario where multiple indicators must be considered. The purpose of this study is to apply a combined method to aid decision-making that corresponds to the supplier selection of the technology in the context of Northeast Brazil. The method is composed by the combination of a diffuse inference technique together with a multicriteria decision-making method, VIKOR, and the weight assignment to the indicators by the entropy method, according to the values of the decision matrix resulting from the diffuse inference technique that allows developed the calculus. The results show that data collection from multiple sources and based on input variables can offered metric over the suppliers for the selection criteria. Restrictions derived from data collection can be a barrier to face, and the method relies on an adapted script that facilitate application. (reformed)

Point 5: The research question, objective of the study, the used technique, findings and contribution should be clearly stated

Response 5:

Objective of the study

The purpose of this study is to apply a combined method to aid decision-making that corresponds to the supplier selection of the technology in the context of Northeast Brazil.

Research question

What resource can be used to establish a decision matrix that links the indicators to a sample of suppliers? How can the causality between different indicators distributed by the three mentioned dimensions be evaluated? What are the conditions in the process of qualifying the indicators according to the different sources selected? According to the number of suppliers with valid data, what will be the ranking of selection among them?

Findings and contribution should

For all selection cases, the best option is Su4, with a competitive advantage, C1, and with stability in decision-making, C2, which defines that this supplier combines favorable economic conditions, a level of environmental responsibility and the best technical conditions to perform this service. The study carried out should recognize that the combination of data sources, such as: customer criteria prior to the study, the self-assessment of the persons responsible for the sampled units and records of sales and installation activities allowed defining the entry for the tested ranking. This derives from the following conclusions.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The present paper provide an interesting contribution on how to conduct prospective life cycle assessment for emerging technologies.

This work is worth to be read and shows a good potential if several challenges are addressed:

Abstract has inappropriate structure. I suggest to answer the following aspects: - general context - novelty of the work - methodology used - main results

Introduction presents really interesting information, but it is still poor mainly in section 1. Interestingly the authors, talk about investments. Could you please add a bit more about financial perspective. A relevant topic for fostering the development of new technologies for the generation of renewable energy is green finance. Some literature to look at:

 

Enabling investment for the transition to a low carbon economy: government policy to finance early stage green innovation The importance of project finance for renewable energy projects Assessing the Opportunities and Challenges of Green Finance in Italy: An Analysis of the Biomass Production Sector Financing renewable energy: Who is financing what and why it matters 

 

Methodology is unclear. Initially a short resume can be proposed to explain several steps. The methodology used must be linked to the existing literature. what is its potential? its limit?

Moreover, the way you introduce fuzzy inference method is weak. Please add a paragraph where you refer to such techniques and their importance in literature. As an example you could mention fuzzy cognitive maps. Some literature:

 

Instrument mix for energy transition: A method for policy formulation Fuzzy cognitive mapping in support of integrated ecosystem assessments: Developing a shared conceptual model among stakeholders Ecological models based on people’s knowledge: a multi-step fuzzy cognitive mapping approach. Policy mixes towards sustainability transition in the Italian biofuel sector: Dealing with alternative crisis scenarios

 

 

Conclusions are extremely succinct. Please provide some practical implications  

A proofreading of the article is highly recommended.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Point 1: Abstract has inappropriate structure. I suggest to answer the following aspects: - general context - novelty of the work - methodology used - main results

Response 1: The necessary transformation of the world's energy matrices has led to a career in developing technologies based on renewable sources. In this context, photovoltaic panels and their components count in Brazil with a production and commercialization chain that accumulates a sustained growth in more than 100% of the generation capacities between the years 2018 to 2019 and that can fulfill or overcome this rhythm 2019 to 2020. Yet, the conditions of a competitive market and the availability of a significant number of middle and small companies for distribution and installation of photovoltaic technology may represent a scenario where multiple indicators must be considered. The purpose of this study is to apply a combined method to aid decision-making that corresponds to the supplier selection of the technology in the context of Northeast Brazil. The method is composed by the combination of a diffuse inference technique together with a multicriteria decision-making method, VIKOR, and the weight assignment to the indicators by the entropy method, according to the values of the decision matrix resulting from the diffuse inference technique that allows developed the calculus. The results show that data collection from multiple sources and based on input variables can offered metric over the suppliers for the selection criteria. Restrictions derived from data collection can be a barrier to face, and the method relies on an adapted script that facilitate application. (reformed)

Point 2: Introduction presents really interesting information, but it is still poor mainly in section 1. Interestingly the authors, talk about investments. Could you please add a bit more about financial perspective. A relevant topic for fostering the development of new technologies for the generation of renewable energy is green finance. Some literature to look at:

Response 2: The green financing is an investment forms, [9] and [10], which are summarized in a system of performance-oriented indicators - risk. The relationships in fact exceed the limits of costs and sources of funding for the case of PV technology, where is considered using such resources. Articulating this subject in the selection of suppliers of PV technology, green financing in its entirety, represents conceptually essential to define relative weight in each valued dimension. For questions concerning policies and financing strategies in Brazil context it can be stated that this sector presents a credit line for the adhesion of the different socio-economic actors to the PV technology that is valued in PR: Law 13.20-2015, [7].

The causes of investments flexibility it derives from the renegotiation of the hydrological risk of electric power generation, where PV technology offers a potential of generation local through credit lined such as [11], [12] and [13], which are financing line for the company and individual to purchase and install solar energy equipment. The conditions of green finance and investment forms in Northeast of Brazil will be argued, which it determines an important point in the suppliers.

In this line of valuation, the access that provides a supplier while the training-orientation-aid on financing would represent a differential for the selection, which corresponds to the economic dimension. For its part, the provision of environmental licenses and certification of technical-environmental standards by suppliers are proof of corporate competence to deal with the barriers to access to green financing that represent another edge that presents this point, green financing, [10]. Therefore, the conditions under which each supplier can meet the requirements demanded by customers for green financing is key. (text was added)

Point 3: Methodology is unclear. Initially a short resume can be proposed to explain several steps. The methodology used must be linked to the existing literature. what is its potential? its limit?

Response 3: The method used for the suppliers selection of PV technology is contained in eight steps that combine intuitionistic fuzzy sets with entropy and VIKOR methods. In the case of intuitionistic fuzzy sets has proposed to establish an integrated metric on suppliers through the three input variables. The IFS steps is resumed in the proposal of the language labels by the input variables, the arrangement of a MISO model and the generation of a decision matrix type A_{(i , j)}. VIKOR is applied from the A_{(i , j)}, which aims to determine the classification limits that are exposed in each ones suppliers were selected. In addition, the entropy method is used to define the weight of each indicator through the decision matrix values. The combination of the weights of each indicator with the recorded maximum and minimum values defines the S_i and R_i parameters respectively, which allows to calculate a ranking among the evaluated alternatives and to demonstrate acceptation or not the selection conditions. (text was added)

Response 3 ( other part text): The separation of the possible performance levels its reflex through IFS - VIKOR, which it is result of the characterization of these suppliers and that is a potential its tries to inquiries in this study. (+) (text was added)

Yet, the limits of this procedure are determined by the inability to define the environmental impact, before and after the acquisition of photovoltaic technology, and another limiting point is the selection of experts and quality assurance of information. These questions in the application of procedural must be valued. (-) (text was added)

Point 4: Moreover, the way you introduce fuzzy inference method is weak. Please add a paragraph where you refer to such techniques and their importance in literature. As an example, you could mention fuzzy cognitive maps. Some literature:

Response 4: The implementation of fuzzy logic allows the study of causality between different concepts, which are basically factors that make up a problem with data vague. The inability to deal with subjectivity, inaccuracies in the selection process and the multidimensional nature, are some reasons helpless the decision-making and it provides to fuzzy logic techniques a justification for their use. Among the techniques identified to treat these problems it is fuzzy cognitive maps [26], which was proposed by [54]. According [55] the fuzzy cognitive maps can help the study of causality among variables of different order and complexity. An advantage of fuzzy cognitive maps is in the understanding of complex systems, which is demarcated by means of quality of information and objects relationship that are analyzed, for example [58], [59], [60], [61], [62], [63], [64] and [65]. (text was added)

Point 5: Conclusions are extremely succinct

Response 5: The application of the combined method, IFS-VIKOR, to suppliers PV technology allows to conclude some relevant points. The first point is the access to data according to the chosen sources of qualifications: (1) evaluation given by the PV technology recipients, (2) self-assessment of suppliers on the correspondence with the indicators and (3) reconciliation of government information on this sector in the region, which represented a phase with some difficulty for the development of the study. Yet, it was resolved by reducing the number of suppliers that complied with the condition of complete data by each of the qualification sources. In addition, the next point is the results of the weighting of indicators that define that access to environmental licenses for projects, certification of management standards and guarantee deadlines on the service are the most important issues for respondents. Also, the supplier that exposes the best conditions, according to VIKOR, for acceptance is Su₄, where a balance between economic, environmental and technical indicators are converged. The verification of the decision conditions justifies this selection. Besides, it proves that the availability of data vague can create a causal relationship between the variables with a direct effect that positions each supplier in a selection ranking. In this way, the procedure applied can help decision making if multiple supply options are compared according to the analysis framework. (reformed)

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Summary of Article (my perception)

There is growing demand for PV in Brazil, and that requires a growing need for a strong supply chain to enable adoption. Suppliers play an important role in enabling PV adoption, but there is a lack of clear PV installation/PV supplier evaluation criteria. The current recommended selection criteria are inadequate, and this affects the quality of service offered to clients. The addition of environmental criteria into a supplier selection evaluation tool may help to strengthen the evaluation process, and reward environmentally-preferable suppliers. Those who are procuring PVs can use this tool to help identify preferable PV suppliers, based on performance, economic, and environmental criteria that are proposed in the this article. The evaluation tool is tested on suppliers from Northern Brazil, and the first- and second-choice suppliers are identified.

Major Comments/Concerns

A key argument about the 'need' for this solution is not demonstrated - there is no evidence provided to substantiate poor quality of service/inadequate performance of the current selection procedure You need to clearly distinguish the difference between "supplier" and "installer" -- one may make the PVs, but not necessarily install them (?).  It is not clear what skills, qualities, performance areas are an issue for the PV supply chain; It is not clear whether this approach is a solution for an identified problem of a proposed strategy to improve on the current process. On line 59 it states that "corporate responsibility, service qualities, and the corresponding economic aspects" are effectively a 'problem') but there is no evidence of this provided;  Throughout, it is proposed that supplier selection should be based on a 'green approach' and that comparison of different companies is needed, While many references are made to "the green approach", it is not clearly explained what the green approach actually is. E.g. is it the inclusion of green criteria and socio-economic variables into the vendor selection process? It looks like maybe you are explaining the green approach staring on Line 125, but that is several paragraphs after you first introduce the term. The environmental criteria seem to be related only to the presence/absence of environmentally-related paperwork (ISO systems; environmental licenses; environmental commitment - is this a report or similar?) (Table 2) This is different from the claim made on Line 120-121, where the green approach incorporates environmental impact and pollution -- the licenses and systems measured do not equate to reduced environmental impacts, just that they are documented impacts. **I am concerned that it is suggested that this tool can evaluate environmental performance, when, based on the criteria, it only appears to measure environmental documentation. The authors could clarify how environmental impact is measured/included in the proposed evaluation tool.** Additional method description is needed, e.g. What did consultation consist of? In-person interviews? Speaking with subject-matter experts? Who completed the questionnaires and participated in the consultations? Why were these individuals selected? It would help to understand who is the target of this work - companies who might want to use the supplier selection model to make the best choice of PV provider? Finanally, the explanation of Table 9 insights needs to be expanded - e.g. The table identifies Su₄ as the most suitable alternative supplier because of the lowest Q_i value. Please briefly reiterate why that is important and how the data should be interpreted/used. Further, the test for compliance with conditions 1 and 2 (C₁ and C₂) should also be explained in a bit more detail - e.g. clearly explain that the difference between S_u' and S_u'' must be greater than or equal to DQ, and why that is the case.

Suggested edits/Language

Line 14 - Reword the sentence to be more clear about what is meant by "...for the supplier selection with green approach,..." and "...where is faced for the photovoltaic modules installation service."

Line 25 - remove "of" between through and solar;
Line 27 - change "of" to "for these types of energy sources"
Line 33 - remove "of" between through and PV;

Line 62 - Not all audiences will be familiar with Solar Portal Seal, so a brief description of what this is and why this is relevant is needed.

Line 93 - sentence "...the demand for characterization..." is confusing and too long; consider rewriting and breaking into 2 sentences to be as clear as possible.
Line 90 - "Committed" should be "commitment"
Line 101 ' suggest that "represents" should be "applies"
Line 117 - this sentence could be more clearly written

Line 378 - rearrange wording from "..., can be concluded the follows aspects this study" to "the following aspects of the study can be concluded."

 

 

 

 

 

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

Point 1. The paper is portrayed in very complicated way

Response 1: Several parts of the document has been improved in, e.g. the summary, conclusions and introduction have been reformulated. A literature review has added a valuation of diffuse cognitive maps, an input that aids decision making and the choice of the diffuse inference tool. Inaccuracies in the writing were corrected. Were added the research question. As a result, the objective of the article can be identified and fulfilled, besides the potentialities and limitations of the method are declared, what represents in an adequate explanation of the results

Point 2: The used technique is not properly described.

Response 2: The method used for the suppliers selection of PV technology is contained in eight steps that combine intuitionistic fuzzy sets with entropy and VIKOR methods. In the case of intuitionistic fuzzy sets has proposed to establish an integrated metric on suppliers through the three input variables. The IFS steps is resumed in the proposal of the language labels by the input variables, the arrangement of a MISO model and the generation of a decision matrix type A_{(i , j)}. VIKOR is applied from the A_{(i , j),} which aims to determine the classification limits that are exposed in each ones suppliers were selected. In addition, the entropy method is used to define the weight of each indicator through the decision matrix values. The combination of the weights of each indicator with the recorded maximum and minimum values defines the Si and Ri parameters respectively, which allows to calculate a ranking among the evaluated alternatives and to demonstrate acceptation or not the selection conditions. (text was added)

Point 3: It is not clear what are the findings and what are they for?

Response 3: The application of the combined method, IFS-VIKOR, to suppliers PV technology allows to conclude some relevant points. The first point is the access to data according to the chosen sources of qualifications: (1) evaluation given by the PV technology recipients, (2) self-assessment of suppliers on the correspondence with the indicators and (3) reconciliation of government information on this sector in the region, which represented a phase with some difficulty for the development of the study. Yet, it was resolved by reducing the number of suppliers that complied with the condition of complete data by each of the qualification sources. In addition, the next point is the results of the weighting of indicators that define that access to environmental licenses for projects, certification of management standards and guarantee deadlines on the service are the most important issues for respondents. Also, the supplier that exposes the best conditions, according to VIKOR, for acceptance is Su₄, where a balance between economic, environmental and technical indicators are converged. The verification of the decision conditions justifies this selection. Besides, it proves that the availability of data vague can create a causal relationship between the variables with a direct effect that positions each supplier in a selection ranking. In this way, the procedure applied can help decision making if multiple supply options are compared according to the analysis framework. (reformed).

Point 4: Abstract is not well informative.

Response 4: The necessary transformation of the world's energy matrices has led to a career in developing technologies based on renewable sources. In this context, photovoltaic panels and their components count in Brazil with a production and commercialization chain that accumulates a sustained growth in more than 100% of the generation capacities between the years 2018 to 2019 and that can fulfill or overcome this rhythm 2019 to 2020. Yet, the conditions of a competitive market and the availability of a significant number of middle and small companies for distribution and installation of photovoltaic technology may represent a scenario where multiple indicators must be considered. The purpose of this study is to apply a combined method to aid decision-making that corresponds to the supplier selection of the technology in the context of Northeast Brazil. The method is composed by the combination of a diffuse inference technique together with a multicriteria decision-making method, VIKOR, and the weight assignment to the indicators by the entropy method, according to the values of the decision matrix resulting from the diffuse inference technique that allows developed the calculus. The results show that data collection from multiple sources and based on input variables can offered metric over the suppliers for the selection criteria. Restrictions derived from data collection can be a barrier to face, and the method relies on an adapted script that facilitate application. (reformed)

Point 5: The research question, objective of the study, the used technique, findings and contribution should be clearly stated

Response 5:

Objective of the study

The purpose of this study is to apply a combined method to aid decision-making that corresponds to the supplier selection of the technology in the context of Northeast Brazil.

Research question

What resource can be used to establish a decision matrix that links the indicators to a sample of suppliers? How can the causality between different indicators distributed by the three mentioned dimensions be evaluated? What are the conditions in the process of qualifying the indicators according to the different sources selected? According to the number of suppliers with valid data, what will be the ranking of selection among them?

Findings and contribution should

For all selection cases, the best option is Su4, with a competitive advantage, C1, and with stability in decision-making, C2, which defines that this supplier combines favorable economic conditions, a level of environmental responsibility and the best technical conditions to perform this service. The study carried out should recognize that the combination of data sources, such as: customer criteria prior to the study, the self-assessment of the persons responsible for the sampled units and records of sales and installation activities allowed defining the entry for the tested ranking. This derives from the following conclusions.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors have addressed my comments.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

Thank You very much for the critical to research

	Yes	Can be improved	Must be improved	Not applicable
1) Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references?	(x)	( )	( )	( )
2) Is the research design appropriate?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
3) Are the methods adequately described?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
4) Are the results clearly presented?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
5) Are the conclusions supported by the results?	( )	(x)	( )	( )

• Research design appropriate:

Ans: The research design was improved in the method and literature review sections. In the method section the introduction was corrected and a diagram expressing the inputs and outputs as a procedure of method has been added. Already, in the literature review section, a heading was added in which the selection of each technique and its combined importance is justified from the theoretical approach.

• Methods adequately described

Ans: The improvement in relation to the description of the method is reflected through the reworking of the method introduction and the diagram reflecting the method procedure. In addition, certain notation errors were corrected, and the application of the method was organized according to the steps of the procedure.

• Results clearly presented

Ans: The results were reviewed and is considered that to be in accordance with the objective of the study which defines Su₄ as the best alternative in this case.

• Conclusions supported by the results

Ans: The conclusions were reformulated to directly answer the research questions. In addition, some points were reflected that are limiting for the application of the procedure and that should be considered in future studies as weaknesses - threats that can be faced in the process of operationalization of the problem of this type of nature.

 

 

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

 

Thanks for the revised version of the manuscript. Although the authors tried to improve the manuscript I do not see any major amendments able to strengthen the paper to achieve a publishable standard. Therefore I recommend major revisions.

 

The main problems pertain with method section and conclusions.

  

Method section needs to be better explained. I would really appreciate a short resume able to make the reader able to follow what you are explaining later in the text. Moreover, I do not see a proper improvement about the relevance of the methods used within the literature.  In my previous report some literature has been suggested. I recommend to have a look at that works and move forward also considering other studies.

 

About conclusions: Where are policy/practical implications. As they are they seem untuneful. Please provide much details.

 

Author Response

Reviewer 2

Thank You very much for the critical to research

	Yes	Can be improved	Must be improved	Not applicable
1) Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
2) Is the research design appropriate?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
3) Are the methods adequately described?	( )	( )	(x)	( )
4) Are the results clearly presented?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
5) Are the conclusions supported by the results?	( )	( )	(x)	( )

• Introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references

Ans: The introduction was revised and improved in relation to references and the relevance of the problem of selecting service providers for this type of technology. Issue that can be verified in the new submission

• Research design appropriate:

Ans: The research design was improved in the method and literature review sections. In the method section the introduction was corrected and a diagram expressing the inputs and outputs as a procedure of method has been added. Already, in the literature review section, a heading was added in which the selection of each technique and its combined importance is justified from the theoretical approach.

• Methods adequately described

Ans: The improvement in relation to the description of the method is reflected through the reworking of the method introduction and the diagram reflecting the method procedure. In addition, certain notation errors were corrected, and the application of the method was organized according to the steps of the procedure.

• Results clearly presented

Ans: The results were reviewed and is considered that to be in accordance with the objective of the study which defines Su₄ as the best alternative in this case.

• Conclusions supported by the results

Ans: The conclusions were reformulated to directly answer the research questions. In addition, some points were reflected that are limiting for the application of the procedure and that should be considered in future studies as weaknesses - threats that can be faced in the process of operationalization of the problem of this type of nature.

 

 

 

Reviewer 3 Report

The additions and clarifications that have been made address the majority of my concerns, and improve the clarity of the research goals and implications.

Author Response

Reviewer 3

Thank You very much for the critical to research

	Yes	Can be improved	Must be improved	Not applicable
1) Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references?	(x)	( )	( )	( )
2) Is the research design appropriate?	(x)	( )	( )	( )
3) Are the methods adequately described?	( )	(x)	( )	( )
4) Are the results clearly presented?	(x)	( )	( )	( )
5) Are the conclusions supported by the results?	(x)	( )	( )	( )

• Methods adequately described

Ans: The research design was improved in the method and literature review sections. In the method section the introduction was corrected and a diagram expressing the inputs and outputs as a procedure of method has been added. Already, in the literature review section, a heading was added in which the selection of each technique and its combined importance is justified from the theoretical approach. The improvement in relation to the description of the method is reflected through the reworking of the method introduction and the diagram reflecting the method procedure. In addition, certain notation errors were corrected, and the application of the method was organized according to the steps of the procedure.

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

I recommend the manuscript for publication

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Review Report

for the paper entitled

Supplier selection for photovoltaic module installation utilizing fuzzy inference and VIKOR method: a green approach

 

Comments:

The paper is presented in a very complicated way. The employed technique is not well explained. It is not clear what are the findings and what are they for? The abstract is not well informative. What is the purpose of Figure 1? Footnote 1 is not provided. Table 8 is not cited in the text.

Reviewer 2 Report

The article has serious technical defects. This is a necessary proofreading. We only see quoting numbers, no substantive information, lines: 28, 32, 35, 37, 40, 74, 80, 81, 97, 112, 113, 129, 130, 150, etc.
The authors did not explain abbreviations, for example: line 38 - PM
Figure. 1 is not legible. No legend.
The purpose of the study is not well defined.
What is the source of tables 1, 2? Is this own elaboration?
I don't feel qualified to judge about the English language and style, but I see serious flaws. The article is not understood.