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Israel: Optimizing residential photovoltaic approval process and accelerating rooftop photovoltaic plan
Mar 27, 2025
The Israeli government is streamlining the approval process for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) projects to accelerate domestic solar deployment, with plans to add 100,000 PV systems by 2030.
The country’s Planning and Building Committee has approved an exemption from building permits for PV system installations. In addition, certification by an electrical engineer will no longer be required; instead, any licensed electrician will be able to issue a compliance certificate to ensure systems meet safety and regulatory standards.
Previously, the government announced its “Rooftop PV Program,” targeting an additional 1.6 GW of residential rooftop PV capacity, expected to cover 15% of households nationwide.
At the same time, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is promoting policies to expand permit exemptions to small-scale energy storage systems. On March 11, 2025, the National Planning and Building Committee approved a regulatory amendment exempting storage systems of up to 600 kWh and with a footprint of no more than 5 square meters from building permit requirements.
According to the ministry’s calculations, such systems can power a residential building with 10 units for 2–3 hours and may also be used in agricultural, public, and commercial facilities. The integration of storage will extend the usability of renewable energy and provide backup during outages or emergencies. Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that the benefits of storage extend beyond prolonging renewable energy supply—they can also help reduce electricity costs by storing energy during peak hours.