20 Jerusalem Schools to Receive Solar Panels

As part of a government initiative to improve the environment by using alternative energy, the municipality of Jerusalem will install solar panels in 20 cities in the coming years.

The project will cost NIS 100 million, but the municipality is not paying for the panels. Instead, the government will force energy companies to pay the costs. Therefore, the city will actually earn more money through the project.

Yair Maayan, the general manager of the municipality, said the city decided to use solar panels because they were the best choice for these buildings, because schools have the greatest area of roofing.

“This is appropriate for the city” Maayan said, “The solar panels are on the roof alone. Require no care and all of them are going to a single grid. It is the most simple, fast and comfortable way.”

Despite the high cost, the panels only generate five megawatts of energy. Even Maayan said the city was investing in the future of alternative energy and green fuels.

“It is not much, it is little, (but) one must begin somehow,” he said. “The government made this possible (the kindof energy production) throughout the entire country and we are starting with it.”
Mayaan is expecting solar panels to grow soon.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. This will continue throughout Israel and we will have enough solar panels on roofs.”

The solar initiative is part of a larger environmental project from the municipality. In addition to encourage alternative energy, the city is buying electric cars and scooters, and is working with the city of Ma’aleh Adumim to increase recycling.

The mayor [Uri Lupoliansky] believes in green projects to reduce air pollution in the city, “We do not want to hurt the youth, nor hurt the air.” said Maaya.

The city has passed rules to help residents and companies to reduce air pollution, increasing recycling and reducing noise pollution.

The city also started a program to clean up their trash in the coming months, and use more energy to collect green waste in Abu Dis, on the outskirts of the capital.

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