A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador

Alexia Tana-Chulde; Bryan X. Medina-Rodriguez

doi:10.62762/JGEE.2026.577955

Volume 2, Issue 1, Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026

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Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, Volume 2, Issue 1, 2026: 73-94

Open Access | Research Article | 17 February 2026

A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador

Alexia Tana-Chulde 1

Bryan X. Medina-Rodriguez 1 *

1 Energy and Sustainability Research Group, School of Earth Science, Energy and Environment, Yachay Tech University, Urcuqui 100115, Ecuador

* Corresponding Author: Bryan X. Medina-Rodriguez, [email protected]

DOI: 10.62762/JGEE.2026.577955

ARK: ark:/57805/jgee.2026.577955

Received: 04 December 2025, Accepted: 03 February 2026, Published: 17 February 2026

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Abstract

Global warming and climate change challenge us to implement sustainable energy systems. Urcuqui, located in the Imbabura province in the North of Ecuador, is one of the cities with the most promising renewable energy resources. Therefore, analyzing the energy potential of Urcuqui at the micro and macro scales will provide valuable information for the national efforts to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. This work aims to identify strategic points with high viability to implement renewable energy systems by collecting information from local governments, such as Municipio de Urcuqui and Prefectura de Imbabura, and implementing advanced methodologies like GIS and multi-criteria analysis. This research focuses mainly on solar and hydrological resources, which have been identified as the most significant energy sources and have the potential to be applied in different areas where required. As the intention is to give people and small communities access to affordable and clean energy, this investigation also incorporates demographic factors and environmental sustainability. The result illustrates Urcuqui parish as the main feasible area to implement PV systems, with approximately 43% of the canton's suitable area. The results show the importance of assessing the geological and technical aspects of the geological resources. They are expected to provide valuable information for regional decision-makers regarding energy policies and promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

Graphical Abstract

A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador

Keywords

renewable energy

hydropower

sustainable development

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

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Tana-Chulde, A., & Medina-Rodriguez, B. X. (2026). A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador. Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment, 2(1), 73–94. https://doi.org/10.62762/JGEE.2026.577955

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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Tana-Chulde, Alexia
AU  - Medina-Rodriguez, Bryan X.
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/02/17
TI  - A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador
JO  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
T2  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
JF  - Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
SP  - 73
EP  - 94
DO  - 10.62762/JGEE.2026.577955
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.577955
KW  - renewable energy
KW  - PV
KW  - hydropower
KW  - sustainable development
AB  - Global warming and climate change challenge us to implement sustainable energy systems. Urcuqui, located in the Imbabura province in the North of Ecuador, is one of the cities with the most promising renewable energy resources. Therefore, analyzing the energy potential of Urcuqui at the micro and macro scales will provide valuable information for the national efforts to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. This work aims to identify strategic points with high viability to implement renewable energy systems by collecting information from local governments, such as Municipio de Urcuqui and Prefectura de Imbabura, and implementing advanced methodologies like GIS and multi-criteria analysis. This research focuses mainly on solar and hydrological resources, which have been identified as the most significant energy sources and have the potential to be applied in different areas where required. As the intention is to give people and small communities access to affordable and clean energy, this investigation also incorporates demographic factors and environmental sustainability. The result illustrates Urcuqui parish as the main feasible area to implement PV systems, with approximately 43% of the canton's suitable area. The results show the importance of assessing the geological and technical aspects of the geological resources. They are expected to provide valuable information for regional decision-makers regarding energy policies and promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly development.
SN  - 3069-3268
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  -

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@article{TanaChulde2026A,
  author = {Alexia Tana-Chulde and Bryan X. Medina-Rodriguez},
  title = {A GIS–AHP Framework for Solar Energy Site Selection in Developing Regions: Urcuqui, Ecuador},
  journal = {Journal of Geo-Energy and Environment},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {73-94},
  doi = {10.62762/JGEE.2026.577955},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JGEE.2026.577955},
  abstract = {Global warming and climate change challenge us to implement sustainable energy systems. Urcuqui, located in the Imbabura province in the North of Ecuador, is one of the cities with the most promising renewable energy resources. Therefore, analyzing the energy potential of Urcuqui at the micro and macro scales will provide valuable information for the national efforts to pursue the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. This work aims to identify strategic points with high viability to implement renewable energy systems by collecting information from local governments, such as Municipio de Urcuqui and Prefectura de Imbabura, and implementing advanced methodologies like GIS and multi-criteria analysis. This research focuses mainly on solar and hydrological resources, which have been identified as the most significant energy sources and have the potential to be applied in different areas where required. As the intention is to give people and small communities access to affordable and clean energy, this investigation also incorporates demographic factors and environmental sustainability. The result illustrates Urcuqui parish as the main feasible area to implement PV systems, with approximately 43\% of the canton's suitable area. The results show the importance of assessing the geological and technical aspects of the geological resources. They are expected to provide valuable information for regional decision-makers regarding energy policies and promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly development.},
  keywords = {renewable energy, PV, hydropower, sustainable development},
  issn = {3069-3268},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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