Israel's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a new initiative targeting the addition of 100,000 solar rooftop arrays by the end of this decade. The 100,000 Solar Roofs Program aims to incentivize solar installations by offering new tariff routes and tax relief, while also fast-track grid connections to encourage deployments. This follows the recent launch of a mapping system that allows citizens to calculate potential savings from installing rooftop solar.
The electricity authority is set to approve new tariff tracks. One track would reduce repayment time to five years, while another would link tariffs to the consumer price index. An existing tariff track promises an annual return of over 14% over 25 years. Figures on the ministry’s website indicate that a 15 kW rooftop solar deployment on a private home could earn its residents an average of ILS 13,000 ($3,637) from the tariffs per year. Meanwhile, a 30 kW system on a shared building could generate around ILS 25,000 per year.
The 100,000 target, equivalent to 15% of Israel’s residential rooftops, is expected to add 1.6 GW to the country’s solar energy supply. Minister of Energy Eli Cohen emphasized that installing solar panels allows roof owners to enjoy additional financial income, consume electricity during emergency hours, and increase energy security while reducing pollution. The Israeli government has also announced a 1.5 GW energy storage tender, aligning with its broader renewable energy goals.
