The Solar Rooftop 500 (SR500) program, aimed at deploying 500 MWp of rooftop solar and capitalizing on the avoided carbon emissions, was officially launched on Wednesday in Casablanca.
The program was launched during an event organized by Africa Climate Solutions in partnership with the Renewable Energy Cluster. It seeks to accelerate the deployment of 500 MWp of photovoltaic solar on rooftops by allowing projects undertaken by Moroccan companies in the industrial and tertiary sectors to access carbon revenues associated with the avoided emissions, from the commissioning of solar installations until December 31, 2030, according to a joint statement.
Implemented under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, the program is part of climate cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Swiss Confederation, with the goal of mobilizing innovative carbon financing mechanisms to support the energy transition of the national productive fabric, the statement specifies.
Speaking at the event, the Swiss Ambassador to Morocco, Valentin Zellweger, emphasized that the SR500 program will ultimately enable the installation of 500 MWp of rooftop solar, a capacity comparable to that of large solar infrastructures in the Kingdom.
“This realization, which illustrates operational climate cooperation between Morocco and Switzerland, directly contributes to the decarbonization of the Moroccan economy and Switzerland’s carbon offset objectives,” noted Mr. Zellweger.
Additionally, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (MTEDD), represented by its departments responsible for climate and energy, highlighted the program as an example of the contribution of international cooperation to the decarbonization of the productive sector, within a framework that ensures environmental integrity and prevents double counting of avoided emissions.
It was also noted that the achievement of the 500 MWp target is made possible by a modernized regulatory framework, particularly law n° 82-21 related to self-production and the launch of origin certificates, ensuring the traceability of renewable electricity, according to the same source.
The ceremony featured the signing of a partnership agreement between Africa Climate Solutions and the Renewable Energy Cluster. A panel discussion involving the MTEDD, the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency (AMEE), the KliK Foundation, and the Renewable Energy Cluster subsequently addressed energy and climate policies, carbon finance, and technical support, with testimonies from the first beneficiary companies of the program.
Through SR500, Morocco and Switzerland reaffirm the effectiveness of international climate cooperation in promoting the development of solar self-production and the decarbonization of businesses.