Renewables SeeNews
by Militsa Mancheva
Solar modules. Featured Image: Jackiso/Shutterstock.com
Abu Dhabi-based renewables firm Masdar said Wednesday it has agreed to build as much as 17,670 photovoltaic (PV) arrays with a combined capacity of over 5.1 MW to power households in 940 remote Moroccan villages.
More precisely, the company will equip households with home solar systems. Each one will comprise a 290-W panel and two batteries. It will do so under a partnership with Morocco’s Office National de l’Electricite et de l’Eau Potable (ONEE).
As part of the deal, Masdar Special Projects, part of Masdar Clean Energy, will design, supply and install the arrays and will provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the next two years.
To boost the economic and social benefits from the installations even further, Masdar and ONEE will use locally sourced materials and hire local contractors. The project financing will be provided by way of a grant from the Abu Dhabi government.
Morocco aims to hit 2 GW of installed PV by 2020, equal to 14% of its total power capacity.
