Morocco Turns to Floating Solar Power to Protect Water and Boost Clean Energy

Fez– New research shows that installing floating solar panels on Moroccan dams could help the country save water, increase renewable energy production, and reduce pressure on land resources.

As Morocco continues to face growing water shortages and rising energy demand, floating solar power is emerging as a promising solution that could address both challenges simultaneously. 

A recent scientific study found that installing photovoltaic panels on the surface of dams could help the country produce more clean electricity while also reducing water evaporation.

The study examined the technical and economic feasibility of floating photovoltaic systems on 58 Moroccan dams. 

Researchers analyzed several factors, including water-surface availability, evaporation rates, energy-production potential, panel tilt angles, installation costs, and floating-platform designs.

According to the findings, the dams included in the study cover a total surface area of nearly 433 square kilometers. 

Every year, these reservoirs lose around 909 million cubic meters of water to evaporation, a major concern as Morocco continues to experience recurrent droughts and rising water stress.

Researchers found that floating solar systems could offer an effective response to this issue. 

By covering part of the water surface, the panels reduce direct exposure to sunlight and heat, helping to limit evaporation while generating renewable electricity.

The study suggests that a panel tilt angle of around 31 degrees may provide the best energy performance. 

However, lower angles such as 11 degrees could also be effective, especially because they allow for better water conservation and more stable floating installations.

One of the study’s main conclusions is that covering only 1% of the total surface area of the monitored dams with floating solar panels could make an important contribution to Morocco’s electricity needs while ensuring a rapid return on investment.

Beyond energy production, the technology also offers environmental and economic advantages. 

Unlike traditional solar farms, floating photovoltaic systems do not require additional land, an increasingly important issue in areas facing land pressure and urban expansion. 

The cooling effect created by the water can also improve panel efficiency compared to land-based systems exposed to high temperatures.

Morocco has already started exploring this technology through pilot projects. 

Among them is the Sidi Slimane floating solar plant and the Oued Rmel dam project near Tangier, which is expected to help supply part of the energy needs of the Tanger Med port.

The study comes as Morocco continues to accelerate its renewable energy transition. 

The country aims to reach 52% renewable energy in its national energy mix by 2030. 

With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, researchers believe Morocco has strong potential to become a regional leader in floating solar energy.