Morocco launched in Casablanca this week Solar Rooftop 500 (SR500), marking a decisive energy transition milestone through the first concrete implementation of Paris Agreement Article 6.2 in the Kingdom. The Renewable Energy Cluster, Africa Climate Solutions, and Swiss Embassy partnership aims deploying 500 megawatts of rooftop photovoltaic solar by 2030, enabling industrial and tertiary enterprises to access carbon revenues from avoided emissions.
SR500 targets rooftop or canopy solar self-production projects up to three megawatts per installation for internal enterprise consumption, with or without batteries. Financing may come through bank credit, leasing, or equity, though projects cannot benefit from other subsidies or revenues from surplus electricity sales. Africa Climate Solutions handles project aggregation, MRV monitoring (measurement, reporting, verification), independent verifier coordination, and carbon revenue transfer to beneficiaries, while the Renewable Energy Cluster ensures equipment and installer quality.
The financing mechanism valorizes avoided emissions through 60% initial payment after installation, followed by 40% annual disbursements based on actual results. Switzerland acquires carbon revenues via the Klik Foundation toward climate commitments, with Moroccan beneficiary enterprises gaining financial visibility and concrete support for sustainable investment.
The official launch gathered approximately 300 participants from public institutions, financial sector, solar industry, and Moroccan enterprises. Swiss Ambassador Valentin Zellweger noted the program will ultimately deploy “500 megawatts of rooftop solar, capacity comparable to major Moroccan solar infrastructure,” illustrating operational climate cooperation between Morocco and Switzerland contributing directly to Moroccan economy decarbonization and Swiss carbon offset objectives.
For the Energy Transition Ministry, SR500 exemplifies international cooperation serving national productive fabric decarbonization within transparent frameworks guaranteeing environmental integrity and avoided emissions double-counting absence. The program leverages modernized regulatory frameworks including Law 82-21 on self-production and origin certificates ensuring renewable electricity traceability, opening pathways for massive rooftop solar adoption by enterprises. Beyond decarbonization, SR500 provides project holders financial visibility while reinforcing productive fabric competitiveness, confirming Morocco’s reference actor status in energy transition and international carbon finance.
