Once photovoltaic roofs are installed, their maintenance is quite simple and the sun does its thing. Some 25,500 square meters of solar panels are about to be installed in Haifa
Solar energy systems, photovoltaic systems (or solar panels as they are popularly known) are used to generate energy from the sun’s rays. Establishing and implementing such systems is part of a national plan to expand the use of renewable energy and reduce the use of polluting sources. The goals for renewable energy generation set by the Israeli government following the Paris Conference to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are 13% of total electricity production by 2025, and 17% by 2030 (it should be noted that many countries have set far more ambitious targets).
Installing solar energy systems (photovoltaics) requires the approval of the Electricity Authority according to the quotas and objectives (regulations) it has set. The planning and construction process consists of four stages:
- Definition stage – Surveying potential buildings, examining electricity bills, inspecting the status of building permits, touring roofs, charting the status of electrical connections and examining their suitability for solar electricity systems, strategic adjustment of the structure as part of its activity plans, setting a production quota.
- Quota approval stage – Opening an account on the Israel Electric Corporation website and paying registration fees, submitting a document file and building permit, having the IEC check the file and coordinating a field tour with the company’s technicians. Having a quota authorized subject to compliance with all required conditions.
- Execution stage – The authority is obligated to carry out the work within 180 days of receiving the approval.
- Maintenance stage – Maintaining the system includes washing it down once every six months and sealing the roof as needed.
Haifa 2030, in cooperation with the Yefe Nof municipal corporation, has promoted the establishment of photovoltaic systems on public buildings in Haifa. A tender issued by the municipality to manage the project was won by the Green Energy company from Jerusalem, which will compile and manage the execution tender in cooperation with Yefe Nof.
In the first stage, photovoltaic systems will be installed on the roofs of 21 schools (most of them elementary), a total of 25,500 square meters. As part of the project, the schools receive complete roof sealing or the equivalent of complete sealing – an expected savings of millions of shekels. The project profits from the lack of a need to dismantle the photovoltaic panels after sealing.
From the moment of IEC approval, the project is allocated a period of 12 months to install the systems. Therefore, the expected completion of installations in schools is April-May 2022. When the installations are complete, they will face an IEC inspection that will grant approval to operate the systems.
