Why should imminent international funds for solar photovoltaics go to families and the private sector and not to the government to stop the electricity crisis in Lebanon?

In Lebanon, the failure to supply oil-based electricity was mostly due to flawed management, increasing costs of bills of private generators, the rise of fuel prices, and the absence of subsidies. In response, individuals have started funding small-scale rooftop PV (RPV) to increase the solar share beyond the national target while the government has struggled for years to pass bidding phases for 12 utility-scale PV (USPV). In addition to publicly unavailable details, specifications, assessments, and termination plans about the 12 solar farms, their geographical sitting was not technically evaluated. Therefore, this study mapped USPV suitability in Lebanon using a multi-criteria decision-making algorithm. Although the highly suitable lands can supply 40% of the total land needed to cover the peak demand, the areas were not equally distributed throughout the governorates. Even if USPV can help reach national solar targets, investing in public-related projects can be perilous, especially with historical patterns of inappropriate allocation of funding, political instability, and absence of accountability. Thus, investing in RPV can be more attractive due to its efficiency, grid independence, and flexibility and should be oriented primarily towards low-income families and small entrepreneurs and later to wealthier people to ensure social equity and welfare. •Highly suitable areas for utility-scale solar photovoltaics (USPV) are 1% of Lebanon's area.•USPV highly suitable areas are mostly based in North Lebanon and Baalbek-Hermel districts.•Most of the 12 USPV farms proposed by the government will replace high-value vegetated lands.•Decentralized Rooftop PV (RPV) proved to be a viable option to cover electricity demands.•Foreign funding should be prioritized for RPV instead of potentially harmful USPV projects.