New Israeli Wind and Solar Projects to Add Energy
 
by Maayana Miskin
Israel National News
http://bit.ly/israel-wind-solar
August 22, 2010

Israel is taking steps toward getting more energy from renewable 
("green") sources with new solar energy systems in Judea and a 
wind turbine to be installed Monday. The new sources of energy 
come as the Israel Electric Corporation announced a record high 
in demand due to an unusually intense heat wave.

Two solar energy systems using photovoltaic technology were 
recently installed in Har Gilo, near Jerusalem. The systems were 
set up by Friendly Energy, and the power they produce will be 
sold to the Israel Electric Corporation under a 20-year contract.

Friendly Energy plans to install an additional two systems in the 
Jordan River Valley, and dozens more in communities across the 
country. The systems built in Har Gilo were the first major solar 
energy producing systems to be installed in Judea or Samaria.

On Monday, Leviathan Energy plans to connect its small wind 
turbine Wind Lotus to the electric grid. The first-of-its-kind 
energy project will be celebrated with an event at Sde Boker, 
a southern kibbutz commonly known as the home of Israel's first 
Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion.

The turbine to be connected Monday is designed to produce 
3.5 kilowatts of power, even in areas where winds are not 
particularly strong. It begins producing energy at wind speeds of 
1-2 meters per second or 3.4 kilometers (2.2 miles) an hour.

The government has begun encouraging the use of wind power by 
paying owners of small wind turbines who provide energy to the 
national grid a tariff of up to 1.65 shekels per kilowatt hour.