Moroccan researchers have developed and optimized solar panels known as “Desert Solar Module,” achieving a 1.95% efficiency boost and a 5.8% performance improvement, as revealed on the cover of “PV Magazine.”
Scientists at Mohammed First University, designed the Desert Module to withstand harsh desert conditions, reducing temperature sensitivity by 0.85%.
In the interview, Ahmed Alami Merrouni, the Project Leader, emphasized the challenge of selecting the optimal configuration for the Desert Module.
The module incorporates 120 monocrystalline half-cut PERC cells, anti-reflective solar glass, and a high-performance back sheet, enhancing resistance to soiling and durability against abrasion.
Indoor characterization and outdoor tests conducted over eight months in semi-arid Benguerir, central Morocco, demonstrated the module’s superior performance compared to standard designs.
According to PV Magazine, the module’s economic analysis revealed a 4.44% reduction in the levelized cost of electricity, positioning it as a viable option for large-scale projects.
Merrouni highlighted that the module’s design could extend warranty periods, encouraging investment in PV power plants in the Moroccan Sahara.
This research, published in “Applied Energy Journal,” was conducted in collaboration with “Green Energy Park” and Polytechnic University Mohamed VI.
In the PV Magazine interview, Merrouni discussed ongoing efforts to further increase the module’s longevity and its potential impact on Morocco’s sustainable energy transition.