Morocco Deploys Floating Solar Panels To Cut Evaporation, Power Tanger Med

Morocco is confronting its worst drought in decades by launching a pilot project that uses thousands of floating solar panels, known as "floatovoltaics," on a major reservoir near Tangier to reduce water evaporation and generate green energy. These panels cover the water’s surface, decreasing evaporation by about 30%, which is significant given that Morocco’s reservoirs lost the equivalent of over 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily due to evaporation, exacerbated by temperatures averaging 1.8°C above normal. The electricity generated from the panels is intended to power the nearby Tanger Med port complex, a critical trade and industrial hub, with plans for wider application if the pilot is successful. Additional projects are being assessed at other large dams like Oued El Makhazine and Lalla Takerkoust, reflecting Morocco’s broader aim to enhance water security and increase renewable energy sources, targeting 52% renewables by 2030. Similar floating solar technologies are being tested globally, with China operating some of the largest floating solar farms in the world. Moroccan officials emphasize that while the current evaporation reduction is modest, the initiative represents an important step amid increasingly scarce water resources.