Israel Launches Largest Floating Solar Project in Collaboration with Carmel Coast Water Association

Last week, a groundbreaking achievement marked the inauguration of Israel's largest floating solar project, situated atop water reservoirs in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Zvi near Zichron Ya'akov. This ambitious endeavor, spearheaded by the Carmel Coast Water Association, in collaboration with Tralight and Synergy, boasts a remarkable capacity of 31 megawatts. With a total estimated cost of approximately NIS 130 million, this initiative is poised to reshape the country's renewable energy landscape.

What makes this project truly exceptional is the pioneering integration of solar tracking systems, or trackers, from the Israeli company Xfloat. This marks the first instance worldwide where such technology has been employed in a floating solar project. These trackers will adjust the position of solar panels in response to the sun's movement on the water's surface, optimizing energy generation.

The project is the culmination of a comprehensive policy led by the Carmel Coast Regional Council, which aims to cover waterways and reservoirs. It has been developed in cooperation with local landowners, relevant government ministries, environmental organizations, ornithology and nature experts, the Haifa District Planning Bureau, and the developers.

A Green Milestone for the Carmel Coast

Yoad Loder, CEO of Hoof Carmel Energies, commented, "Today we inaugurate the largest and most unique floating solar project in Israel. This is another step in covering all the water reservoirs for agriculture in the Carmel Coast and producing green electricity on a large scale from the consumption of all the households of the Carmel Coast settlements." He emphasized that the project will also contribute to water conservation for agriculture and the preservation of green spaces along the coastal plain.

The Ma'ayan Zvi project covers a vast area of approximately 587 dunams and is part of a broader series of solar projects by Terralite through its subsidiary Menorah Synergy. These initiatives have a combined capacity of 124 megawatts (DC) and are situated on rooftops and water reservoirs throughout Israel.

Last month, Tralite announced that Menorah Synergy secured a financing agreement with Bank Leumi, providing up to 510 million shekels to support these projects. The majority of the projects are already connected to the electricity grid, with production underway.

Rani Lifshitz, CEO of Tralite, expressed his satisfaction in establishing the company as a leader in Israel's solar energy sector, particularly in dual-use formats such as floating solar projects. He praised the partnership with Synergy, the Carmel Coast Regional Council, and Bank Leumi for their pivotal roles in this endeavor.

Asif Isaac, head of the Coastal Carmel Regional Council, highlighted the project's significance in advancing the transition to renewable energies and combating the climate crisis. He proudly stated, "Today all the electricity consumption of the residents of Coastal Carmel is produced from green energy," and expressed confidence in further collaborative efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions in the region.

This monumental achievement in solar energy represents a significant step toward a greener and more sustainable future for Israel, showcasing innovative technology and cooperation across various sectors.