{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,10]],"date-time":"2026-04-10T16:12:02Z","timestamp":1775837522209,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,6]],"date-time":"2021-07-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1625529600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Colombian Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (COLCIENCIAS)","award":["Scholarship No. 673."],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Scholarship No. 673."]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sustainability"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The role of the private sector is essential in providing energy access to all by 2030. However, private investors often face the decision problem of deciding where to implement off-grid projects. This selection process can be considered a multifactorial task because it requires accounting not only for local conditions, technical constraints, and economic-financial feasibility but also for socio-cultural dynamics and environmental consequences. In this paper, we implemented a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method based on the Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH) to assist in the selection of the most suitable location to implement off-grid solar PV projects in South America. Following a participatory process with the input of a decision-maker representing the private sector, we combined 13 criteria, within 5 dimensions, to evaluate the performance of three potential sites, namely Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. Based on an overall score associated with each alternative, we grouped them into three categories: highly sustainable, sustainable, and unsustainable. As a result, Colombia represents the highest sustainable option for a potential private investor. This methodology provides guidance not only to investors but also to local utility companies and policymakers assessing off-grid locations with electricity access deficits, in developing countries.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/su13147546","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,6]],"date-time":"2021-07-06T11:36:44Z","timestamp":1625571404000},"page":"7546","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Using a Multi-Criteria Model to Assess the Suitability of Potential Sites to Implement Off-Grid Solar PV Projects in South America"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7944-6456","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Laura M.","family":"Hinestroza-Olascuaga","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Pedro M. S.","family":"Carvalho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal"},{"name":"INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal"}]},{"given":"C\u00e9lia M. S.","family":"Cardoso de Jesus","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Superior T\u00e9cnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal"},{"name":"INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, and WHO (2020). Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, World Bank."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, and WHO (2021). Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, World Bank."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"IEA, IRENA, UNSD, World Bank, and WHO (2018). 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