Israel's Knesset Unveils World's Largest Parliament Roof Solar Field
The geographically small Israel is making a big statement about the importance of solar energy in the sun-blessed Middle Eastern nation. Recently legislators and environmentalists gathered at the Knesset, Israel's national assembly in Jerusalem, to inaugurate the largest solar field of any parliament in the world (Germany's Bundestag parliament building comes in second followed by Austria's parliament). Nearly 1,500 solar panels placed on the Knesset roof and surrounding buildings nearly 5000 square meters will provide 10 percent of the assembly's electricity with an installed capacity of 450 kW.
"What is happening before our very eyes is indeed exciting, a true revolution. It is not just the solar panels; it is the message, the idea, the new path. This is not merely a revolution in energy-saving; it is also a turning point with regards to the environmental awareness revolution that we have been promoting over the past two years," Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said at the dedication ceremony.
The solar panels are part of the Green Knesset Project launched in January 2014 that aims to make Israel's parliament building a model of sustainability. Other energy efficiency initiatives include changing overhead lighting to LED, recycling, composting, upgrading the water and air-conditioning systems, installing electric vehicle charging stations and eliminating plastic bottles from committee meetings. Taken together, the sustainability measures are expected to reduce the Knesset's electricity bills by one-third by the end of 2015.
This project is the first part of its Green Knesset Project, consisting of 13 advanced projects for saving energy and water. In total, the Knesset has invested US$ 1.8 million in the project. All of the projects that were approved are economically viable, and the project should pay for itself within five years.
"What is happening before our very eyes is indeed exciting, a true revolution. It is not just the solar panels; it is the message, the idea, the new path. This is not merely a revolution in energy-saving; it is also a turning point with regards to the environmental awareness revolution that we have been promoting over the past two years," Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein said at the dedication ceremony.
The solar panels are part of the Green Knesset Project launched in January 2014 that aims to make Israel's parliament building a model of sustainability. Other energy efficiency initiatives include changing overhead lighting to LED, recycling, composting, upgrading the water and air-conditioning systems, installing electric vehicle charging stations and eliminating plastic bottles from committee meetings. Taken together, the sustainability measures are expected to reduce the Knesset's electricity bills by one-third by the end of 2015.
This project is the first part of its Green Knesset Project, consisting of 13 advanced projects for saving energy and water. In total, the Knesset has invested US$ 1.8 million in the project. All of the projects that were approved are economically viable, and the project should pay for itself within five years.
