The sun beyond all expectations

The sun beyond all expectations /Dori Davidovitch

A year and half ago, when the new era of Solar Power have began, doubtfulness were quarrel. Considerable doubts were about the economic profitability and the differences in power productions around the country. Today, a year and half after the regulations have passed and the first few systems have been installed, no more assumptions, we have gained experience, realty is here and it isn’t that bad after all.
January 23rd, 2009 Kibbutz Yotvata installed Solar Panel System on the Roof-Top of an 800 Square meter Cow Shade with the ability producing 50 kilowatts of electricity. The Solar Panels installed are to withstand the Desert climate and the convertors were installed in a newly built control room with climate control system to assure durability in the desert climate.
The cost of the project was approximately 1.2 Million NIS and was set to produce 82,500 Kilowatts of “Green” electricity and revenue of 165,000 NIS. It turned out the Israeli Sunshine have exceeded expectations and the system produced 88,000 kilowatts of “green” Power, saved approximately 60,000 kilos of polluting greenhouse gases and revenues of 174,000 NIS a year.
There were doubts prior gaining the experience about the system’s abilities in a non desert like climate areas in Israel, these are no longer: In October 28th, 2008 a new System was installed on a factory roof in “Katzerin Industrial Park” in the Golan, as in Yotvata, a 50 kilowatt system with a 1.2 million NIS price tag.
By October 2009 the system produced 87,000 kilowatts of “green” electricity, saved 55,000 Kilos of polluting greenhouse gases and revenues of 174,000 NIS. 
Although the Ketzrin's winter season was typical and Yotvata in the south enjoys more sunny days, the system’s productions were surprisingly similar. The explanation to that is that on clear days the system in the north produced 15% to 20% more power than the system in Yotvate due to the Direct Radiation available in the North.
This data proofs the climate throughout Israel is optimal to produce Solar Energy and that solar systems had proven reliability and offer study income flow to  privet and commercial businesses.
The experience we gained the past year and half, should serve as incentive and a living proof to our government and our citizens that Israel is in the right place and holds the proper knowledge to develop more sources of alternative energy. In addition to the daily sunshine Israel is blessed with other natural resources.
 Alternative energies are the key to the future of the state of Israel and release it from dependency on foreign oil, the short experience proofs successful and not another useless, costly venture but profitable activity that contributes to the State and those who choose to invest in it.

Writer is the CEO of Solarit Doral – among the leaders of Solar Panels industry.