Morocco can now produce enough solar equipment to generate 1 gigawatt of capacity a year. That is twice the previous production level of 500 megawatts, as the country tries to make more of its renewable-energy equipment locally, according to The Washington Post
The expansion is part of a wider plan to rely less on imported equipment and attract investment for the local market and exports.
Almaden Morocco runs the main solar module factory in Al Hoceima. Italian company Ecoprogetti supplied and upgraded the factory’s fully automated production lines.
The plant uses TOPCon G12 18-busbar, or 18BB, half-cut cells. They are assembled into glass-glass solar modules, which are designed to improve efficiency and withstand hot and dry conditions.
Morocco wants renewable energy to provide 52% of its electricity by 2030. It also plans to increase its total renewable-energy capacity to more than 56% shortly afterwards.
The country plans to spend $3 billion on upgrading its electricity grid. A further $40 billion is planned for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects.
Morocco has the third-largest solar power capacity in Africa, behind South Africa and Egypt.
The country is also turning to floating solar panels.
A project at the Sidi al-Yamani Reservoir at the Oued Raml Dam near Tangier has 22,000 floating panels covering about 25 acres.
The panels can produce 13 megawatts of electricity, enough to supply the operational needs of Tanger Med Port. They are also expected to cut water evaporation from the reservoir by up to 30%.
Total operational solar power capacity has now passed 1 gigawatt, according to data from the Energy Research Unit. It has increased from 951 megawatts to 1.09 gigawatts.
Green hydrogen is another part of the plan.
The 1-gigawatt Chbika Green Hydrogen Project will use solar power to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia for European markets.
