Prioritising municipal photovoltaic initiatives using multi-criteria decision analysis

The escalating urgency of climate and energy challenges has accelerated the adoption of solar energy technologies in both the short and long term. The effective integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems demands a comprehensive evaluation of various factors, including energy resources, demand, socioeconomic contexts, and environmental impacts. Local governments and citizens play a crucial role in the energy transition, as localised emissions significantly influence broader environmental outcomes. This paper presents a decision support approach for prioritising PV system implementations within a municipal framework, guided by decision-maker preferences. Our study contributes to the application of multi-criteria decision analysis at the municipal level by introducing ELECTRE Tri-nC (ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la REalité Tri-non-Compensatory), a non-compensatory sorting method, to prioritise PV initiatives. Unlike previous studies that focus mainly on site selection or technology comparison, our framework integrates socio-techno-economic criteria tailored to local policymakers’ preferences. This offers a dynamic planning tool for emissions reduction. The model classifies PV-related actions aimed at reducing municipal emissions, considering different types of installations, areas, sectors, and investors. Applied to the Spanish municipality of Rajadell, the model demonstrates that PV installations can reduce emissions by up to 49.11% in the residential and services sectors. From a policy perspective, the results indicate that 80% of the proposed actions should be executed by 2030 to align with the municipality’s climate objectives. The robustness of the model allows for its adaptation to similar contexts. Despite technical, economic, and social constraints, the green transformation driven by PV systems can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost employment in the renewable energy sector, and decrease overall resource consumption. This model provides a valuable tool for policymakers and supports decision-makers in optimising local energy generation processes. • A comprehensive MCDA framework that prioritises municipal solar PV initiatives. • The model is applied to Rajadell, showing PV’s potential for 50% emissions reduction. • Policy insights stress the need for social acceptance and streamlined processes. • Sensitivity and robustness analyses confirm model consistency and reliability. • The model is scalable for broader use in municipal, regional, and national contexts.