Benguerir – The “Solar Decathlon Africa” village is a green initiative that honors the architecture and traditions of Africa, said, on Friday in Benguerir, Director of the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Holly Carr.

The objective of this competition is to design sustainable houses with high energy and ecology performance that are adapted to the context and specificities of the African continent, noted Holly Carr during the official inauguration ceremony of “Solar Decathlon Africa”.

She also highlighted Morocco’s commitment to renewable energy and green economy, underlining all the initiatives launched and supported by HM King Mohammed VI.

Holly Carr was impressed by the level of students who were able to build environment-friendly innovative houses within three weeks, calling for action to develop renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For her part, Economic Advisor of the US Embassy in Morocco April Cohen said that these eco-creative buildings reflect the efforts made by students, and the importance of scientific research through new generation techniques.

The Solar Decathlon Founder and Senior Advisor to Solar Decathlon Africa Richard King expressed his happiness to finally see the Solar Decathlon competition on African soil, and surveyed the history of this major event.

The event is held, under the patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, by the Ministry of Energy, Mining and sustainable development, the Moroccan Research Institute in Solar Energy and New Energy (IRESEN), and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.