The western Negev's Kibbutz Reim will soon receive the
distinction of being the first Israeli community to rely entirely on solar energy as a result of an installation project with the firm Sunday Solar.
Sunday Solar's installation in Kibbutz Reim is part of the company's
two-year plan to invest NIS 500 million ($133 million) in solar arrays for kibbutzim.
At Kibbutz Reim, solar panels are to be placed on top of all 130 rooftops of the community, and excess energy will be sold back to the Israel Electric Company.
During peak production, the system is expected to be able to produce over 2.5 megawatts per hour.
Kibbutz Reim's panels are expected to be installed in the next six months to a year. Sunday Solar will divide the costs and revenues of the project with the kibbutz.
While the project will cost a substantial NIS 60-100 million ($16 million to 26.5 million), it should pay for itself within 10 years.
In addition to projects at kibbutzim, the company also plans to install solar arrays on top of municipal buildings in the city of Kiryat Ono.
