Mohammedia – Morocco and Switzerland are preparing to roll out one of their most concrete climate cooperation projects to date, with the Solar Rooftop 500 program set to enter its implementation phase in January 2026, according to Moroccan outlet L’Economiste.
The initiative follows the official launch given on December 12 by the Moroccan and Swiss governments, and it is now awaiting the completion of final technical arrangements between the program’s manager and local banking partners responsible for distributing the dedicated financing.
Known as SR500, Solar Rooftop 500 marks a first for Morocco under Article 6.2 of the Paris Accord, which allows countries to cooperate through the transfer of emissions reductions.
Switzerland will finance the deployment of rooftop solar systems in Morocco under this mechanism, while the resulting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be counted toward Switzerland’s nationally determined contribution.
The authorization positions Morocco as the third country worldwide, the second in Africa, and the first in the MENA region to implement a project under this article, reinforcing its standing as a leading climate performer.
The program aims to deploy a total of 500 megawatts of rooftop photovoltaic capacity across the commercial and industrial sectors by 2030.
Each installation will have a capacity of less than three megawatts and will be connected to the national grid, with systems installed exclusively on building rooftops.
At full scale, this could translate into hundreds of individual projects spread across the country, creating a decentralized yet standardized solar market segment.
Economic impact and financing framework
Beyond its climate dimension, SR500 is expected to generate immediate economic benefits. According to L’Economiste, the program could create around 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, mainly in installation and maintenance activities.
Rooftop solar production is projected to reduce electricity bills by 25 to 40% for participating companies, easing operating costs and improving productivity and profitability.
These savings are also expected to strengthen companies’ investment capacity, particularly in energy-intensive industrial activities.
The financial backbone of the program is a $500 million envelope, equivalent to around MAD 5 billion ($545.24 million) provided by Fondation KliK, the Swiss climate foundation.
The funds will be channeled through Moroccan banks, which will be responsible for financing eligible companies.
A carbon premium linked to the value of avoided greenhouse gas emissions may cover up to 25% of installation costs, making projects more accessible, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Eligibility criteria require that installations be new, rooftop-based, grid-connected, and below the three-megawatt threshold.
Companies must own the solar systems, receive no other financial incentives for the same installations, and agree to transfer emissions reductions to the SR500 program.
All projects must also comply with strict technical and monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements.
The program is structured and managed by AfricaClimate Solutions, which oversees implementation and the emissions monitoring framework to ensure transparency and independent verification.
According to converging reports, SR500 aligns closely with Morocco’s national energy strategy. The North African country’s strategy targets more than 52% renewable energy capacity by 2030, reflecting its growing role in international climate cooperation.
Read also: IRENA Report: Morocco’s Off-Grid Renewables Reach 16.9 MW
