Morocco has officially launched the Solar Rooftop 500 (SR500) programme in Casablanca, a major initiative aimed at deploying 500 megawatts of rooftop photovoltaic solar capacity on industrial and commercial buildings across the country by 2030, strengthening its energy transition and international climate cooperation.
The programme is a joint initiative involving the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Africa Climate Solutions, Cluster ENR and Switzerland’s KliK Foundation. It marks the first operational implementation in North Africa under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which allows countries to cooperate through internationally transferred mitigation outcomes.
The launch event drew about 300 participants, including government officials, private sector leaders, financial institutions and renewable energy stakeholders. Speaking at the ceremony, Swiss Ambassador to Morocco Valentin Zellweger said the scale of the SR500 programme, comparable to some of Morocco’s flagship solar infrastructure projects, reflects the depth of climate cooperation between Rabat and Bern.
Under the programme, rooftop solar projects of up to 3 megawatts per site will be developed primarily for self-consumption, with optional battery storage. Electricity generated from the installations will produce carbon credits based on emissions avoided. Participating companies will receive 60 per cent of the estimated carbon revenue shortly after installation, while the remaining 40 per cent will be paid annually through 2030, subject to independently verified emissions reductions.
A comprehensive monitoring, reporting and verification system managed by Africa Climate Solutions, with independent verification, is designed to ensure transparency and credibility in the generation and transfer of mitigation outcomes. Switzerland, through the KliK Foundation, will acquire the carbon credits to help meet its national climate targets, while Moroccan companies benefit from a share of the associated financial value.
The SR500 programme is supported by updated regulatory frameworks, including Law 82-21 on energy self-production and the introduction of certificates of origin for renewable electricity. Authorities say these measures enhance traceability, reduce regulatory uncertainty and improve investor confidence in rooftop solar and carbon finance projects.
Morocco aims to raise the share of renewable energy to more than 52 per cent of its installed electricity capacity by 2030 as part of its national decarbonisation strategy. Officials and industry observers say the SR500 programme is expected to contribute to these goals by lowering energy costs for businesses, improving competitiveness and attracting private investment into clean energy technologies.
Beyond emissions reductions, the initiative is expected to support job creation in solar installation and maintenance services and strengthen the domestic solar value chain. At a regional level, the programme highlights the growing role of international cooperation and carbon finance in accelerating Africa’s energy transition and supporting climate-resilient economic development.
