Israel Approves First National Land-Use Plan For Agrivoltaic Projects

The Government of Israel has approved the country’s first national land-use plan dedicated to agrivoltaic installations, marking a significant step in its renewable energy policy. The decision follows earlier approval by the National Council for Land Use Planning and Construction about a month ago. However, the full document has not yet been made public, and several professionals in the renewable energy sector say they have not been able to review its details.

Agrivoltaic projects combine farming and solar power generation on the same land. The newly adopted plan allows different types of pilot projects and is expected to create a clearer regulatory pathway. Industry participants believe this framework could encourage local authorities to grant more permits for such projects.

Dorit Bennett, a renewable energy specialist, described the move as an important milestone. She said the plan sets aside relatively large areas for experimental projects, which could help the sector grow. At the same time, she stressed that success will depend on flexibility from planning bodies and cooperation from the agricultural community. Continuous monitoring of pilot results will also be necessary, as agrivoltaics is still a developing field.

Israel is considered one of the early movers in agrivoltaics, with several trials already conducted in the Negev desert region. While some experiments have shown encouraging results, expanding these projects on a national scale is new territory. The sector is still learning how to balance crop production with electricity generation.

The main technical challenge is ensuring that crops receive enough sunlight while solar panels also produce sufficient electricity. Poor system design could reduce farm output or lower energy efficiency. Researchers are still studying how to adapt solar technologies to different crops and climate conditions. Despite these uncertainties, many see strong potential for innovation.

Reactions among farmers are mixed. Some worry that agricultural land could gradually be used mainly for energy production if projects are not managed carefully. Others see agrivoltaics as a way to diversify income, strengthen farm resilience, and take part in the clean energy transition.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said the program introduces uniform technical standards to ensure that installations are safe and reliable. However, grid capacity remains a concern. Infrastructure expansion has not always matched population growth, and connecting new renewable projects to the electricity network can be difficult, especially in remote areas. Although upgrades are underway, these limitations could affect the speed of implementation.

Officials say the plan supports Israel’s 2030 renewable energy goals and aims to optimize land use while preserving agricultural activity.