On December 26, 2010 the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli Cabinet has approved a plan to simplify the authorization process for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and create planning guidelines for licensing plants. The plan will be valid for five years from the date of approval.

"Europe has snowstorms and we have sun," stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "Similarly, ours is a technology-rich country, including in solar technology. We are among the most advanced in the world. And the paradox is that when we try to join our technology with the sun, we cannot make progress due to our bureaucracy. Today's decision simplifies this bureaucracy so that we will be able to enjoy our relative advantage, without harming the environment."

Plan to affect PV installations up to .75 square kilometers in size

The Israeli Prime Minister's office notes that the plan will function within the larger goal of acquiring 10% of Israel's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The plan includes a simplified process for authorizing rooftop PV installations, and also allows for the preparation of detailed plans for the construction of PV plants on areas of up to .75 square kilometers in size.

Additionally, under the new plan it will be possible to build PV plants on agricultural lands in the Be'er Sheva district. The Prime Minister's office states that such authorizations will balance concerns over archaeological and cultural resources, scenery and open-space continuity.

2010-12-30| Courtesy: Office of the Prime Minister of Israel | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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