Israeli Startup Takes on the Challenge of Sustainable Solar Energy Production

An Israeli startup is working to ease the burden of producing solar electricity, helping to protect the environment in the process. Despite its abundance of sunshine, Israel relies heavily on coal, mineral gas, and fuel oil for electricity production through five power plants operated by the Electric Company. This dependence on polluting energy sources contrasts sharply with countries like Germany, Spain, and Iceland, where renewable energies provide a significant portion of electricity consumption.

In 2022, only 10% of Israel’s electricity came from renewable sources, two years later than planned. The government’s decisions regarding coal-fired power plants have further hindered progress, with emissions exceeding previous levels due to high-sulfur coal use. A recent report by the State Comptroller indicated that Israel lags behind other countries in setting targets for renewable energies. The country’s goal for 2030 falls significantly below international standards, leading to a failure to meet interim production targets.

Despite these challenges, there have been promising developments in renewable energy production in Israel. A recent achievement saw over half of the country’s electricity coming from renewable sources for a brief period. The potential for solar energy utilization is vast, offering environmental and security benefits over traditional energy sources. A decentralized grid based on solar energy and storage could enhance energy security and reduce pollution.

Dorit Davidovich-Bennett, a renewable energy advocate, emphasizes the need for expanding the national grid to accommodate higher levels of solar electricity production. Currently, only 12% of electricity in Israel comes from renewable energies