Photovoltaic-Systems
Renewable Energy-the Dream is about to become true – Yaki Newman
The Attorneys Mr. Eitay Yonaei and Amnon Apshtin, publicised in their article “Power plant for each roof” (June, 19), the list of the obstacles people will encounter if the wish to install a photovoltaic Solar System on their roof-top. According to the decision adopted by the electricity authorities recently, each individual homeowner will be able to produce up to 15 kilowatt of electricity per annum and commercial companies will be able to produce up to 50 kilowatt per annum, from Photovoltaic Panels installed on their roofs. Electricity they can consume and sell their surpluses to the electric company.
Readers may interpret the article that the decision of electricity authority effective July 1st, will remain on the paper only, in spite of the obstacles, the dissension is revolutionary, that its results will be educational and informative, nevertheless practical and possible.
The Attorneys Mr. Eitay Yonaei and Amnon Apshtin calculated that in light of the fact that the total grid power was limited for 50 megawatt state per annum, approx, 3,000 installations only. Actually it’s expected that most likely most households combined will not exploit 15 kilowatt allowable by the decisions meaning the expected installations stand on 10,000 to 15,000 kilowatt. Therefore since most households will not maximized their production abilities, majority will benefit the tax exemption referred to in the new regulations for the use of less than 4 kilowatt per annum. In addition the disputed issue between the private power companies and the Israeli Electric Corporation is expected to be resolved soon and advertised by the Israeli Electric company.
The only issue that is still not resolved is the unitary relation of the local building committees for the installations of Solar Panels, however previous experience with regards to Broadcasting satellite Dishes installations proofs that most issues can be resolved, hopefully the Ministry of the Interior and planning administration staff will address the issues early in order to prevent unnecessary delays and allow progress.
These issues are likely to be solved, first and foremost today’s broad recognition for the need to do all the effort to develop sources of renewable energy. The climate committee in Bali in the end 2007 have reached a wide consensus the World countries are expected to make effort fighting the phenomenon of global warming and the need for developing new sources of renewable energy.
Developing new sources of renewable energy is an important challenge to the state of Israel and not only due to the our expected status recognition for the first time as a developing Country in the next climate committee in Copenhagen and as such will require us to reduce greenhouse gases by 25% to 40% between 2012 -2020.
The decision by the authorities although limited, allows producing electricity using Photovoltaic systems by homeowners and companies, which they can sell their surpluses, back to the electricity company for 2 NIS per kwat??? Is precedential and creates an opportunity to improve developments of renewable energy in Israel. Surceases like the Sun or Wind Flow are harmless while providing energy unlike charcoal, fuels or gases that require burning to produce energy.
Although the decision of authorities is limited to only 50 megawatt per annum, it’s possible that in the near future as Solar Power Planet will be built in Ashalim that will produce 250 megawatt in the year, and an additional 300 megawatt produced by installations of wind turbines throughout the country in addition to the relatively small producers currently authorized to build photovoltaic panels and fields. Therefore Israel may reach its objectives promoted by Ministry of infrastructures 5 -6% of its energy from renewable energy surceases sources by 2012. We should remember that as of today the electric company producing approx, 11,000 megawatt per annum.
The photovoltaic panels installed on homeowner’s roof-tops have a great deal of importance to permit awareness for the need to develop others sources of renewable energy. The visibility of the Solar panels in many residential neighbourhoods and the direct profits they will produce to the individual using it will be a hard evidence for the importance and advantages develop others sources of renewable energy, hopefully the trend will be successful as for example “ hybrid Cars” are around the world.
Especially now that a new power plant using charcoal was approved to be built in Ashkelon, there is great importance and urge in advancement of renewable energy, to prevent approval of more power plants that pollute our plant. Each kilowatt produced by photovoltaic Solar panel prevents 1-1.5 ton of greenhouse gases to the air per annum, we need to remember this and it will guarantee the resolution for most issues that will pop up along the way while we develop and install the photovoltaic systems
The writer is the head of the Engineering department at Solarit from the Doral Group, specializing in installing Domestic photovoltaic Systems.