Israel Launches USD 10 Million Project to Install Solar Canopies Over Sports Fields
The Israeli government has approved a new national programme to promote the installation of solar roofing on public sports facilities across the country.
July 21, 2025. By Dineshwori
As part of this initiative, a budget of 34 million Shekels (USD 10.13 million or approximately INR 87.3 Crore) has been allocated to support local authorities in implementing solar canopy projects.
In a bid to streamline the process, water corporations have been granted a three-year exemption from construction permit requirements for such installations.
Additional regulatory relief measures are also in the pipeline, designed to ease procedures and incentivize the development of solar roofing infrastructure.
The initiative is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Ministry of Culture and Sports, and Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Eli Cohen, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasised the significance of the move, "Solar canopies over sports fields are an important step that fulfills our commitment to ensuring energy security for Israel, while promoting renewable energy and protecting the environment.”
“This move will enable local authorities to turn an expense into a yielding investment, add thousands of dunams of public shaded areas, allow community activity in all weather, and contribute significantly to meeting Israel's renewable energy targets for 2030,” he noted.
Highlighted the benefits of the project, Miki Zohar, Minister of Culture and Sports, it will allow the public to enjoy the fields both in summer and in winter, maximizing the use of the area for energy and electricity production.
“This is another step in the policy of making sports fields accessible, while getting the most out of them in all weather and all seasons of the year. The sports fields will be attractive and useful,” he added.
Idit Silman, Minister of Environmental Protection, underscored the environmental and social value. She said, "Solar canopies over sports fields are an important environmental-social initiative that promotes clean energy, reduces air pollution, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and improves residents' quality of life – especially in the heart of urban spaces.”
“This is a smart utilisation of public infrastructure, connecting climate goals with community resilience, and is on the path to the national target of 30 percent renewable energy by 2030. Furthermore, this is a practical and significant step in addressing the climate crisis and global warming – projects of this type contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enable smart adaptation to the changing climatic reality," she added.
With over 3,500 sports fields across Israel, the installation of solar canopies is expected to deliver around 500 megawatts of installed capacity, accounting for about 5.5 percent of the additional capacity needed to meet Israel’s target of 30 percent renewable energy by 2030.
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