Morocco’s Ministry of Energy has introduced a mandatory certification requirement for solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting structures, effective 1 July 2026. The regulation targets manufacturers, exporters, and project integrators supplying to Moroccan utility-scale solar initiatives—including the NOOR Midelt hybrid CSP-PV complex—and signals a tightening of technical compliance standards in North Africa’s fastest-growing solar market.

Event Overview

On 28 April 2026, Morocco’s Ministry of Energy issued Administrative Order No. 2026-117, mandating that all imported and domestically installed solar PV mounting systems comply with a localized version of IEC 61427-2:2025 starting 1 July 2026. The localized testing requirements focus on three environmental stressors: sand-dust load cycling (≥5,000 cycles), salt mist corrosion (ISO 9223 C5-M class), and high-temperature deformation (60°C for 1,000 hours). Certification reports must be issued by laboratories accredited under China’s CNAS (China National Accreditation Service) or equivalent national accreditation bodies recognized by Morocco’s regulatory authority.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters of PV Mounting Structures

Chinese manufacturers exporting fixed-tilt, single-axis, or tracker-based mounting systems to Morocco will face immediate compliance barriers if their current test reports do not cover the three specified environmental parameters—or were issued by non-CNAS-accredited labs. Non-compliant products will be excluded from customs clearance and pre-qualification for major tenders such as NOOR Midelt Phase II.

Component and Raw Material Suppliers

Suppliers of aluminum extrusions, galvanized steel components, fasteners, and anti-corrosion coatings used in PV mounting systems may experience revised specification requests from downstream fabricators. Demand for C5-M–rated coatings and sand-abrasion–resistant surface treatments is likely to rise, potentially affecting procurement lead times and material cost structures.

Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractors

EPC firms bidding on Moroccan solar projects must now verify third-party certification status at the sub-system level—not just structural design approval. This adds a new layer to technical documentation submission and may delay bid preparation unless certified suppliers are engaged early in the design phase.

Testing and Certification Service Providers

Laboratories offering IEC 61427-2 testing—particularly those with CNAS accreditation and proven capability in sand-dust cycling and C5-M salt fog chambers—may see increased demand from Chinese exporters preparing for the 2026 deadline. However, only reports issued by labs formally accepted by Moroccan authorities will be valid; bilateral recognition status remains unconfirmed.

Key Considerations and Recommended Actions

Monitor official implementation guidance from Moroccan authorities

The Administrative Order references IEC 61427-2:2025 but introduces localization criteria not present in the base standard. Stakeholders should track any technical circulars or interpretation notes issued by Morocco’s Direction de l’Énergie Renouvelable et de l’Efficacité Énergétique (DEREE) before Q3 2026, especially regarding test lab acceptance procedures and transitional arrangements.

Verify CNAS lab scope and Moroccan recognition status

Not all CNAS-accredited labs hold the full test capability required—particularly for 5,000-cycle sand-dust loading per IEC 60068-2-68. Exporters should confirm both the lab’s accreditation scope (certificate number and validity) and whether its reports have been previously accepted in Moroccan public tenders.

Align product qualification timelines with NOOR Midelt procurement cycles

NOOR Midelt Phase II tender documents are expected to reference this regulation explicitly. Companies targeting this project should complete full certification—including test report issuance and notarized translation—no later than Q2 2026 to meet pre-bid qualification deadlines.

Review supply chain documentation for traceability

Certification applies to the final mounted system, not individual components. Manufacturers must ensure batch-level traceability between certified test units and production lots, including material certifications (e.g., aluminum alloy grade, zinc coating thickness), welding procedure qualifications, and assembly process records.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this regulation reflects Morocco’s strategic shift from volume-driven solar deployment toward resilience-focused infrastructure standards—particularly for arid, coastal sites where sand abrasion and salt corrosion accelerate structural degradation. Analysis shows the timing aligns with the ramp-up of NOOR Midelt’s integrated dispatchable solar generation, suggesting the rule serves both technical reliability and local industrial policy goals. From an industry perspective, it functions less as an isolated compliance hurdle and more as an early indicator of similar localization requirements likely to emerge in other MENA markets with comparable environmental conditions. Current evidence does not confirm whether parallel rules will apply to trackers versus fixed-tilt systems—but the specification’s emphasis on cyclic sand loading implies particular scrutiny of moving parts and bearing interfaces.

It is more accurate to interpret this development as a binding technical signal rather than a finalized enforcement outcome: while the legal effective date is fixed, practical implementation—including lab recognition, document validation, and inspector training—remains subject to administrative capacity building over the next 15 months.

Conclusion: This regulation marks a step-change in technical entry requirements for PV mounting systems in Morocco—not merely a paperwork update, but a material and performance benchmark aligned with long-term asset durability. For stakeholders, it underscores the growing importance of environmental adaptation in global solar hardware standards. The current situation is best understood as a structured transition period, where proactive alignment with the localized IEC 61427-2:2025 requirements offers competitive advantage—not just compliance assurance.

Information Source: Morocco Ministry of Energy, Administrative Order No. 2026-117 (issued 28 April 2026); IEC 61427-2:2025 Edition 2.0; ISO 9223:2012 Corrosivity Categories. Note: Recognition status of specific CNAS-accredited laboratories by Moroccan authorities remains pending official confirmation and is subject to ongoing observation.