15,000 mosques are going green

Morocco is looking ahead to a bright future. Literally.

The government is installing energy-efficient lights and solar technology in more than 100 mosques in 2016 and plans to expand the program over the next five years to include 15,000 state-funded mosques. That represents nearly 30% of all mosques in the country.

The so-called “green mosques” initiative is part of Morocco’s ambitious push into renewable energy. It’s spending billions of dollars to wean itself off imported fuel and reduce emissions by ramping up the use of energy efficient technology and renewables.

As it stands now, nearly 95% of energy in Morocco comes from abroad, according to the International Energy Agency‌.

The green mosque project is one of the most visible programs, with tradespeople installing LED lights, solar water heaters and solar panels in mosques across the country.

Ahmed Bouzid, a senior project manager at Morocco’s state-owned energy investment company, told CNNMoney that the mosques are ultimately being used to demonstrate to the public that they too should save energy in their homes and businesses. Read more…

15,000 mosques are going green