General Framework
Photovoltaic activity in Israel is concentrated mainly in academic research, with
limited industrial involvement. The ubiquity of the electricity grid makes most
applications non-cost-effective, except in unique situations.
533 kWp have been installed so far; 30 kWp were installed in
2003. Nearly all the applications are off-grid remote electrification systems. Most installations were made on an economic basis, the PV system being the most economically viable alternative (because of its distance from the electric grid).
The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) is required to purchase electricity from private producers, according to rules set by the Ministry of National Infrastructures. At the present time, there are no promotion initiatives or subsidies for PV systems. However, there are indications that public perception of renewable energy is becoming increasingly positive. As a result, both the Government and the IEC are studying net-metering schemes and revising regulations to enable power buy-back.
A resolution adopted by the Government in November 2002,
mandates that at least 2 % of total electric energy be generated
from renewable sources by 2007, rising to 5 % by 2016. The decision might also positively influence the local PV market.
There are no special regulations relating to PV systems, although the IEC has general guidelines relating to the quality of the electricity it purchases.
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Industry involvement
A few firms are active in the PV field, and they deal mainly with
system integration. Most companies are small, and are not exclusively dedicated to PV. Some of the local production of systems is exported.
Presently, there is no local production of either PV cells or inverters. Israel has the required technological infrastructure enabling it to produce all the components needed for integration in PV systems. However, due to economical considerations, components such as modules are imported. In spite of this, some unique Israeli PV systems have high added value related to the balance of system
(in particular, control systems), and therefore, they have international market potential.
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Research and Development
A relatively large number of research teams is involved in photovoltaic R&D, most
of them from academe, spread over most research areas (with no concentration of
effort on particular subjects). Many of these teams cooperate with leading teams
worldwide (both in academe and in industry).
Among the current R&D projects, a number are highly innovative and
worth noting:
- A novel thin-film solar cell from carbon, in its new form of
buckminsterfullerene(C60), is being investigated at the National
Solar Energy Center in Sde Boker.
- DiSP Ltd. is developing a Miniature Concentrating PV (MCPV)
system for distributed power applications, in cooperation with
Tel Aviv University. The system is designed to provide both
electricity and high-grade heat, making it a true Combined Heat
and Power (CHP) system. It includes a small (about 1 m diameter)
concentrating dish and a high-efficiency CPV module. Preliminary
calculations indicate that the power generated by the MCPV
may be less expensive than grid power. The heat can be provided
at temperatures suitable for steam generation, cooling, space and
water heating, and process heat. A demonstration unit is
currently under construction.
- R&D activity at the Solar Energy Laboratory of the Jerusalem
College of Technology is directed toward increasing the efficiency
of silicon solar cells and photovoltaic modules without significant additional fabrication expenses. It consists of:
- Improvement of solar cell fabrication technologies,
including the development of industrial technology for
the production of high efficiency single-crystal solar cells
(in cooperation with Italy and Russia) and multi-crystalline
wafers (in the framework of the multinational EU project
INDHI - INDustrially scalable HIgh efficiency silicon solar
cell);
- Development of a cheap glass antireflective coating to
increase the PV module efficiency by about 3,5 %
(or more than 0,5 % absolute) - also in the framework
of INDHI.
Long-term performance of various photovoltaic modules under desert
conditions is being monitored at the National Solar Energy Center in Sde Boker.
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Demonstration and Application
A number of projects have been completed or are underway. The following are particularly
worth mentioning:
- A 1 kWp grid-connected system was installed on the roof of
the science school in the Druze village of Yirka, in Galilee. Its
purpose is to expose the pupils to this technology, as a part
of their environmental education.
- Another 1 kWp grid-connected system was installed in a regional school in the Arava valley. Performance data are reported on-line
on the school website.
- A novel aircraft-warning system was installed on 18 high-voltage pilons; it includes a 50 kWp PV panel and LED lighting.
- Interactive tourist information systems powered by PV panels
were installed in a number of sites, distant from the grid.
- Applications of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for urban uses such as solar traffic signs and street names are being developed.
- The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) is investing 1 MUSD in a
29-home grid-connected demonstration project in the Negev.
Each home will have a 3 kWp PV array, and the system will
include inverters, meters and data-collection units. This project,
known as “Solar Village,” will enable the IEC to investigate the
operating regime, the impact on the local grid, the types of
interconnections, the selection of suitable meters, etc.
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Educational activities
In the Nitzana village in the Negev desert, an educational project is underway, called “Science Following the Sun.” The project brings the message of solar energy, including photovoltaics, to hundreds of school children.
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Government actions
As mentioned above, it is expected that the recent Government resolution establishing
a minimum quota for electricity from renewables will favorably influence the PV
market. In addition, a number of actions are being taken to encourage PV activity.
Among them:
- Keeping the R&D excellence centers alive through selective
Government support of projects. The R&D expenditures in photovoltaics of the Ministry of National Infrastructures were
160 000 USD in 2004; however, additional funding is available
in this area from other research foundations.
- Supporting innovative demonstration projects by up to 30 %
of investment.
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Further reading about Israel
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