Israel: Relaxing Regulatory Policies to Accelerate 1.6GW Rooftop Photovoltaic Plan
The Israeli government is simplifying the approval process for rooftop photovoltaic projects to accelerate the deployment of domestic photovoltaic systems, with plans to add 100000 new photovoltaic systems by 2030.
Optimizing the approval process for residential photovoltaics and accelerating the implementation of rooftop photovoltaic plans
The Planning and Construction Commission of the country has approved an exemption from the building permit required for the installation of photovoltaic systems, no longer requiring certification by electrical engineers, but allowing any licensed electrician to provide compliance certification to ensure that the system meets safety and regulatory requirements.
Previously, the Israeli government had announced the "Roof Photovoltaic Plan", with the goal of adding 1.6GW of residential rooftop photovoltaic capacity, expected to cover 15% of residential buildings nationwide.
Small energy storage systems will also benefit
At the same time, the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is advancing a policy to extend the exemption of building permits to small energy storage facilities. On March 11, 2025, the National Planning and Building Commission approved a regulatory amendment that exempts the construction permit requirements for energy storage systems with a capacity of 600kWh or less and a land area of no more than 5 square meters.
According to the department's calculations, this type of system can provide power for a residential building with 10 apartments for 2 to 3 hours, and can be used for agricultural, public, and commercial buildings. The introduction of energy storage will extend the usage time of renewable energy and provide protection in case of power outages or emergencies. In addition, the department emphasizes that the advantages of energy storage systems lie not only in extending the supply time of renewable energy, but also in reducing electricity costs through off peak storage.
