Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy The purpose of this plan is to outline the products and services offered by the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy and how they could benefit geographical areas that are almost entirely reliable on non-renewable energy.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Solar energy is becoming an increasingly relied on resource, and in some countries, the only source of energy. Morocco has launched what is to be considered one of the largest solar energy projects in the world. Responsible for implementing the solar plan is The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN). At a geographical advantage resulting in one of the highest rates of solar insolation in Morocco, MASEN is projected to provide up to 18% of the nation’s annual electricity generation. It’s clear that Morocco is luckier than countries that are tied to darkness for the better part of the year, as well as smaller countries (i.e. islands) without the land space to set up solar energy plants.

Solar power stations, or solar farms, are large scale photovoltaic and concentrated solar power systems. Photovoltaic systems use a different technology than concentrated solar power systems, so the two are not to be confused, however, some solar farms are known to use a combination of both technologies. The difference is photovoltaic converts light directly to electricity, whereas concentrated solar power systems use heat to drive conventional generator systems. Initial setup costs for solar farms are steep, the first solar farm commissioned to MASEN in the desert city of Ouarzazate this year cost $713M and they are slated to build four additional farms before 2020. When all is said and done the intiative is projected to cost $7.8B. On average, a Moroccoan residential utility customer uses 715.73 kilowatthours (kWh) per year. Customers currently pay $0.17 per kWh, and that is expected to see no fluctuation with the transition. For Morocco, the transition is not a financial move, but it’s a move for independence. Up until this initiative was implemented, Morocco depended on imports for 68% of their energy stores. By 2020, Morocco will be almost fully self-sustaining in the realm energy uses. These solar farms by MASEN will be producing enough extra energy to begin exporting to countries such as Japan that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint in a major way.

Overall Moroccan consumer response to solar energy is overwhelmingly positive. Residents are looking to solar energy from MASEN solar farms as a guarantee of energy security. This will be a major selling point to potential export target countries, because the world as a whole is placing greater importance on clean energy and energy security.