The Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure plans to install rooftop solar panels on all public sports fields across the country. Estimated between 3,500 and 4,500 in numbers, these fields can produce 420 MW to 600 MW of installed solar power, which could provide up to 6% of the additional power needed to meet the 2030 goal of 30% renewable energy.
It has announced a budget of ILS 34 million ($10.2 million) for local authorities to carry out the installation work in 2025. A statement from the ministry says that the water utilities will be exempt from the construction of these projects for 3 years.
This new national plan aims for sports fields to become new renewable energy hubs, while expanding the hours of operation for these facilities. Solar panels on the roof will also provide shade and protection from weather conditions, while also generating zero-emission energy and strengthening energy security. Local authorities will also see it as a profitable investment.
“Solar roofing of sports fields is an important environmental-social move that promotes clean energy, reduces air pollution, reduces the urban heat island and improves the quality of life of residents - especially in the heart of urban spaces,” according to Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman. “This is a smart utilization of public infrastructure, which connects climate goals and community resilience, and on the way to the national goal of 30% renewable energy by 2030.”
Besides producing energy, this plan is estimated to create about 3,000 dunams of shaded public space, enabling 3.3 million more hours of outdoor sports and community activities each year, in all weather, according to a policy paper published by the ministry in Hebrew.
“Community sports fields are a central meeting place, for various types of sports games, and especially in the summer months and during vacations, they are used by the community, families, children, and anyone who loves sports. The new plan - covering the fields - will meet an important need that will allow everyone to enjoy the fields both in summer and winter, making maximum use of the area for energy and electricity production,” said Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar.
Israel's Ministry of Energy has separately released a first-of-its-kind public guide that maps 23 different processes for licensing and building solar and storage facilities to reach the goal of 100,000 new solar roofs, announced in February 2025 (see Israel To Add 100,000 New Rooftop Solar Systems By 2030).
“This is a precedent-setting step designed to provide greater clarity, transparency, and efficiency in the process of advancing energy projects in Israel,” stated the Ministry.
It aims to boost renewables by easing bureaucracy and supporting energy sector developers. The ministry says it coordinated with more than 12 regulatory bodies in the field of renewable energy in Israel to prepare this document, which is open for public comment till August 17, 2025, on its website.
This follows Israel’s mandate for rooftop solar systems in new buildings starting from December 2025, as it seeks to boost energy security and land efficiency (see Israel Mandates Rooftop Solar Systems For New Buildings).
