Israel's Energy Ministry has released a report that surveys the use of solar panels nationwide. According to the ministry, major cities in the country have largely missed out on the potential for installing rooftop solar panels.
On the other hand, smaller cities or towns have led the adoption of this technology in Israel.
Only six cities or regional councils have managed to use at least half of their potential space for solar panels, including the Central Arava and the Negev Desert. Other regions with good results were the Golan Heights and Ramat HaNegev regional councils and the city of Beit Shean.
In contrast, in Jerusalem only 5% of suitable rooftops have solar panels, and in Tel Aviv-Jaffa only 4%. Haifa is on a better track, with a total of 12% of its capacity in the past year.
The report highlights that most solar potential is on residential rooftops, but installing solar panels on apartment buildings poses significant challenges as it requires consensus from multiple owners and active management of the process.
Nationwide, Israel has installed solar panels producing 2.7 megawatts, representing 23% of the potential identified in a mapping conducted by the Electricity Authority in 2020.