Israel has long been lauded a leader in solar technology, sending its innovation far and wide throughout the globe, including our nearby Mojave Desert.  Finally, Israel’s Arava Power solar company will set up its own fields right at home.

Yesterday, Arava announced it secured 780 million shekels ($204 million) to fund 8 news solar fields in Southern Israel.  Five of the new fields are to be set up throughout the Negev, with the remaining three on kibbutzim in the South.   

Much of Israel is covered by desert with favorable conditions for harnessing the sun's energy, and while Israeli firms have developed a number of pioneering technologies used around the world, the country has yet to invest heavily in solar fields at home.

Tuesday's announcement is part of a larger plan by Arava to build over 40 solar projects, from fields to rooftop operations, totaling over 400 MW and an investment of about $1.5 billion.

This advancement is one step closer to Israel’s stated goal of having ten percent of the nation’s energy consumption come from renewable resources by 2020.  Says Arava CEO Jon Cohen, “These installations to be built in the Negev Desert are yet another step towards energy independence for the State of Israel."