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Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex

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Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)

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The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is the world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant and a milestone in Morocco's energy transition. Located about 10 kilometers north of Ouarzazate, the facility has a total capacity of 580 megawatts across four phases. Noor I through III utilize CSP technologies (parabolic trough and solar tower), while Noor IV is a photovoltaic (PV) plant. Particularly striking is Noor III, which features a 250-meter-high solar tower that concentrates sunlight onto a central receiver. Thanks to innovative molten salt thermal storage, the complex can generate electricity for up to seven hours after sunset. The entire site covers more than 3,000 hectares, equivalent to roughly 3,400 football fields. Noor Ouarzazate is a cornerstone of Morocco's solar strategy, which aims for renewable sources to provide at least 52% of the country's installed capacity by 2030. The project has garnered international acclaim, showcasing a path toward a decarbonized energy future for the African continent.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781115192428272217117
Rain mm1719301714671121213018

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is the world's largest concentrated solar power plant and a flagship project for renewable energy in Morocco. It supplies electricity to over 1.1 million people and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions.
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Visiting
The solar complex is partially open to visitors, with guided tours available that need to be booked in advance. Access to certain areas is restricted for safety reasons, but visitor centers provide comprehensive information.
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Where to view it
An excellent viewpoint is the visitor terrace of the complex, overlooking the rows of mirrors and the solar tower. The road leading to Zagora also provides an impressive panoramic view of the facility.
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Local products
The complex itself only produces electricity, but in the Ouarzazate region, handicraft products such as carpets and pottery are well known. Visitors can buy locally made souvenirs in the city, often decorated with traditional patterns.
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Active season
The power plant operates year-round, with the highest electricity production in the sunny months from April to September. In winter, output may slightly decrease due to shorter daylight hours.
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Nearby
A visit to the solar complex can be ideally combined with a tour of Ouarzazate city and its traditional kasbahs such as Taourirt Kasbah. The famous Aït Benhaddou settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also nearby.

Geography

Coordinates
30.99400, -6.86800

Facts

  • World's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) complex.
  • Total capacity of 580 megawatts across four separate phases.
  • Noor III features a solar tower reaching 250 meters in height.
  • Thermal storage allows for up to 7 hours of generation after dark.
  • Total site area spans over 3,000 hectares of desert.
  • Provides enough energy to supply approximately 2 million people.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Kasbah TaourirtKasbah Taourirt9 km · SExplore →
Ouarzazate Date RegionOuarzazate Date Region11 km · SExplore →
Ksar of Ait BenhaddouKsar of Ait Benhaddou26 km · WExplore →
SkouraSkoura28 km · EExplore →
Kasbah AmridilKasbah Amridil32 km · EExplore →
Katavi ParkKatavi Park35 km · EExplore →
Katavi National ParkKatavi National Park38 km · NExplore →
Kasbah TelouetKasbah Telouet48 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (1)

Filmset📍 landmark

This outdoor movie set features large-scale props and artificial desert buildings used in international cinematic productions.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex?
A massive solar power plant project in the desert.
Can the solar mirrors be visited?
There is a viewing platform for visitors.
Why is Ouarzazate important for tourism?
It is the gateway to the Sahara and known for movie studios.
When should one travel to the region?
Spring and autumn are climatically convenient.
What is to be seen nearby?
The Kasbah Ait Benhaddou.
Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex: where is it located?
Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is located in Morocco.
Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex: why is it worth visiting?
The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex is the world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant and a milestone in Morocco's energy transition.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Errachidia — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Errachidia
Administrative center of the Drâa-Tafilalet region and a military site.
Ouarzazate — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Ouarzazate
Known as the 'Hollywood of Africa' because of its film studios.
Midelt — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Midelt
A mountain town known as the 'apple center' of Morocco.
Tinghir — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Tinghir
The most important city near the famous Todra Gorge.
Zagora — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Zagora
A desert town in the Drâa Valley with an iconic 'Timbuktu 52 days' sign.
Dades Gorge — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Dades Gorge
Spectacular red rock formations and winding mountain passes in the High Atlas.
Todra Gorge — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Todra Gorge
A spectacular limestone canyon in the High Atlas featuring massive vertical walls nearly 300 meters high.
🗺️
Errahma
Errahma is a coastal town near Casablanca, known for its beautiful beaches and as a relaxing getaway destination.

History & landmarks

Erfoud — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Erfoud
The fossil capital of the world and a favorite desert filming location for Hollywood movies.
M'Hamid — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
M'Hamid
A remote desert village at the end of the paved road, where the true Saharan adventure begins.
Tinejdad — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Tinejdad
A charming oasis town famous for its well-preserved traditional fortified mud-brick villages called ksars.
Skoura — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Skoura
A vast oasis with thousands of palms and historic mud-brick kasbahs like Kasbah Amridil.

More places

Kasbah Taourirt — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Kasbah Taourirt
An impressive mud fortress in Ouarzazate that once belonged to the powerful Glaoui family.
Ksar of Ait Benhaddou — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Ksar of Ait Benhaddou
A traditional mud-brick fortified village on the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.
Kasbah Amridil — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Kasbah Amridil
One of the most spectacular kasbahs in the Skoura palm grove.
Kasbah Telouet — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Kasbah Telouet
A crumbling but once magnificent fortress in the High Atlas.
Ksar Tamnougalt — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Ksar Tamnougalt
One of the oldest mud villages in the Draa Valley, once the historic capital of the Mezguita region.
Atlas Foothills — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Atlas Foothills
Gentle hills at the foot of the High Atlas.
Bou Azzer Cobalt Mine — Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex (Morocco)
Bou Azzer Cobalt Mine
A rare primary cobalt mine, crucial for global battery production.
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Drâa Valley
Long river valley at the edge of the Sahara.