Agriculture Ministry sets up new panel to advance agrivoltaic projects in Israel

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is establishing a professional team to formulate policy in the agrivoltaic field, the combination of solar energy production alongside agricultural activity. The team, nicknamed the “Committee of Three,” includes the ministry’s deputy director general, attorney Natali Brodner-Mor, chief scientist Dr. Michal Levi, and head of the Planning Authority Laura Levin. The purpose of the team’s establishment is to expand agrivoltaic programs. Until now, the ministry feared that farmers would prefer to use land for photovoltaic projects at the expense of agriculture, but it is now working to expand dual use of the land. As part of its work, the committee will regulate procedures and interfaces in the agrivoltaic field, with the aim of creating clearer and more uniform policy toward all those involved in the field, including government ministries, planning bodies, the energy sector and farmers themselves, and to enable a prudent and balanced advancement of the sector.

At the ministry, they say the committee’s work will be aligned with the goals of the national Food Security 2050 program led by the ministry, and will be based on the work of professional staff, including the Food Security Administration, the ministry’s districts and the Extension and Professional Services (Sheham), which will continue to accompany, examine and present their professional positions regarding projects in the field. In addition, the committee will also serve as a professional exceptions committee, which will examine exceptional requests and formulate the ministry’s position on the matter, in accordance with professional opinions and ministry policy. Attorney Brodner-Mor said, “By its nature, the ministry is very conservative. We want to preserve local agriculture. We are concerned that approvals for agrivoltaic projects will turn into photovoltaic ones. We still do not know how agrivoltaics works with different crops and different technologies. This field is still developing around the world. We also read professional literature and studies being conducted in the field, and we want strong farmers, but we also want agriculture. We have no interest in being the factor that blocks agricultural projects, but rather one that enables them. But with smart risk management.” The committee has already approved a project in the Gaza envelope, with the aim of advancing the farmers and the area.

Ministry Director General Oren Lavi said, “The committee, established for the first time as part of a deep change and renewal of the ministry in terms of public service over the past three years, brings significant news in the field of strengthening service provision. The committee will lead orderly and balanced policy intended to ensure management and preservation of state lands for agriculture, strengthening food security, alongside strengthening the State of Israel’s energy capability.” The ministry stresses that this is a move intended to open the door to the agrivoltaic world in a responsible and balanced way, מתוך an understanding that there is great importance in advancing renewable energy in Israel, לצד preserving the ability to produce local food and the resilience of Israeli agriculture. In addition, it is also a welcome additional source of income for farmers. As part of the formulation process, the committee will meet with stakeholders in the field in order to hear the views of professionals, farmers, entrepreneurs, planning bodies and relevant organizations, and will produce a consolidated policy document.