UM6P, through its Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Center (AITTC), completed the installation of a floating photovoltaic system at its Boudnib Experimental Farm in Errachidia Province, thereby strengthening the integration of renewable energy into agricultural irrigation.
Launched in June 2025, the Boudnib Experimental Farm covers approximately 300 hectares and serves as a research and demonstration platform for agricultural practices adapted to arid environments.
Installed at the farm's irrigation reservoir, the new system has a capacity of 333.7 kWp, comprising 470 solar panels that cover approximately 1,460 m² of the water's surface. It complements three existing ground-mounted solar installations, which have a combined capacity of 255.6 kWp, bringing the farm’s total installed photovoltaic capacity to 589.3 kWp.
Designed to supply electricity for irrigation pumping, the floating installation also offers potential water conservation benefits by shading part of the reservoir and reducing evaporation. According to project estimates, the combined solar infrastructure could generate approximately 1,061 MWh of renewable electricity annually, while the floating system could help conserve about 2,680 m³ of water per year, pending on-site monitoring and validation.