Morocco is moving to expand solar power beyond utility-scale projects. The government, in partnership with Switzerland, has authorised the Solar Rooftop 500 (SR500) initiative, which targets 500 megawatts peak (MWp) of rooftop solar for commercial and industrial facilities across the country.
The programme is designed to cut energy costs for businesses, reduce dependence on the national grid, and contribute to Morocco’s climate targets.
SR500 focuses on self-consumption installations of less than 3 MWp. These are aimed at businesses such as factories, warehouses, and commercial offices that use electricity during the day.
By producing power on-site, these companies can lower bills, reduce exposure to grid disruptions, and improve operational predictability.
The programme is backed by Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, allowing the emissions reductions generated to be transferred as internationally recognised credits.
Switzerland can count these reductions toward its nationally determined climate targets, creating a financial and regulatory incentive for Morocco’s businesses to adopt rooftop solar.
Implementation will be led by Africa Climate Solutions, in coordination with Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development and the KliK Foundation.
The partnership provides technical guidance and financial structuring to help companies overcome common obstacles, including upfront capital requirements and operational challenges in rooftop solar deployment.
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The total investment mobilised under SR500 is expected to reach approximately USD 500 million (EUR 428 million).
The funding will make installations more affordable, especially for medium-sized enterprises that may have avoided solar due to high initial costs. Participating businesses will receive support from project design through integration with existing energy systems, ensuring that solar panels operate efficiently and deliver measurable savings.
Morocco’s industrial and commercial sectors represent a significant opportunity to expand clean energy. While utility-scale solar farms have been the main driver of renewable growth, rooftop solar allows businesses to generate their own power, stabilise costs, and reduce carbon emissions.
This approach spreads renewable generation more evenly across the electricity system and reduces pressure on the national grid.
SR500 also offers broader economic benefits. Deployment of rooftop solar panels will create jobs in installation, maintenance, and operations. Companies will develop in-house expertise in renewable energy management, while local suppliers of panels, inverters, and related equipment may see increased demand.
These effects could strengthen Morocco’s domestic energy sector and support the government’s renewable energy objectives.
By 2030, SR500 aims to achieve its target of 500 MWp across the commercial and industrial sectors. The programme is structured to integrate small-scale distributed energy into Morocco’s energy mix while maintaining clear measurement of emissions reductions.
Businesses that participate can cut costs and reduce environmental impact without compromising operational efficiency.
By Thuita Gatero, Managing Editor, Africa Digest News. He specializes in conversations around data centers, AI, cloud infrastructure, and energy.
