Installation of solar roofs on residential and public buildings in Haifa

Installation of solar roofs on residential and public buildings in Haifa – Environmental Quality Committee meeting

(live here) – The meeting of the Environmental Quality Committee in the Haifa Municipality, which took place today, Tuesday, 13/5/25, became an arena for an in-depth and substantive discussion on one of the most important and burning issues of our time – renewable energy from the sun. The committee is headed by Deputy Mayor and Mayor Avihu Hahn, who set the vision of urban solar energy as a central goal. The meeting was attended by experts and professional bodies who presented data, initiatives and proposals for action to expand the use of solar energy on private and public roofs and apartment buildings throughout the city.

Avihu Han: Not installing solar systems is no longer rational

In his opening remarks, Avihu Han emphasized the great potential inherent in installing solar roofs in the city of Haifa, and presented the issue as a project with a double benefit – economic and environmental. "It's a win-win for everyone," he said, "It will help residents receive money and for us as environmentalists, it allows us to reduce the burning of coal to produce electricity. Not doing this becomes irrational."

Han also addressed the importance of increasing public awareness and the ability to market the idea to residents. According to him, the challenges of implementation stem more from psychological aspects of fear of financial investment and technical complexity, and less from the lack of options on the ground. "The question of how we market this to residents is a matter of strategic thinking and collaboration," he concluded.

Yael Cohen Paran: "The city is both the problem and the solution"

Roofs are the opportunity

Yael Cohen-Paran, a former Knesset member and current leader of the "Sunshine for All" initiative, began her remarks by noting that she has been promoting renewable energy solutions for about twenty years. According to her, most of the city's rooftops are used for residential purposes - and they are the real focus of opportunity.

"Everyone agrees that there is room for promoting solar roofs, especially in the city. The city is the problem and the solution," Faran argued. She explained that the logic is not only environmental - but also economic, due to significant savings in transmission costs and energy loss, compared to projects located in remote open areas.

Cohen Faran emphasized the untapped potential: "It is possible to generate 7 gigawatts just from residential rooftops. That is tremendous power, especially when construction is constantly expanding and the potential is growing."

She presented the benefits at the national level – from strengthening regular supply, through dispersion that reduces the risk of targeted attacks, to strengthening urban resilience to the climate crisis.

The new economic model: adjusted rates and help for residents

Cohen Faran continued her remarks by presenting the changes in the Electricity Authority's tariff tracks, which enable faster, more stable, and more economical investment in home solar systems.

One solution she mentioned is connecting housing committees with entrepreneurial companies that install solar systems without an initial investment, in exchange for a shared future profit. "That way, the condominium benefits from day one," she said.

The municipality has a supporting role

Cohen Paran also emphasized the concerns that exist among residents, especially in the context of safety and maintenance, and suggested that the municipality play a supporting role: "The municipality can establish an auxiliary service for residents who are interested but are afraid. It's not just technical - it's a job of information, trust, and harnessing."

New municipal information website and personal simulator for residents

As part of making information accessible, a special municipal website was established that includes a simulator that allows any property owner to check what they could gain from installing a solar system on their roof. The information is accessible, easy to use, and is now also available on the municipality's website.

"The potential in Haifa is enormous," concluded Cohen Paran, "and with the right tools, it can be realized within a few years."

Lia Sagi: Mapping Neighborhoods, Partnerships, and Learning Lessons

Lia Sagi, head of the industry department in the Planning and Sustainability Unit at the Haifa Municipality, presented the annual plan that the municipality is promoting to expand the installation of solar systems on the roofs of private and condominium homes. According to her, the first year was intended for understanding and mapping.

Mapping

"What did we do? First, we identified who the urban and non-urban partners were, where the potential rooftops were, and what exactly we were looking for," Sagi explained. She added that local publications, WhatsApp groups, and field work with the communities themselves were used.

As part of the activity, meetings were held in Ramat Begin, Ramat Alon and Kiryat Haim. However, Sagi admitted that the response was lower than expected. "In Ramat Begin, most of the houses were not found suitable. In Ramat Alon, the response was very low. Only in Kiryat Haim was there a greater presence - but still not sufficient," she described.

She emphasized the importance of a planned citywide Zoom meeting, to be held on May 22.5.25, XNUMX, with the aim of exposing more residents to details and barriers.

What's next? Building an information infrastructure and future solutions

Sagi clarified that all activities will undergo a process of drawing lessons, aimed at streamlining operations for next year. Among the considerations being examined are the possibility of recruiting a dedicated municipal employee for the issue, strengthening the resident support system, and wider dissemination of neighborhood-focused information.

Meirav Lanternary: "Installations in educational institutions and long-term maintenance"

Merav Lanternary, the chief construction engineer at "Yefa Nof" company, is responsible for the city's energy projects. In her remarks, she presented the progress in the field of solar system installations in educational buildings in the city.

"We put solar roofs on schools in the city, and everything went well," she said. "We've now reached the ongoing maintenance phase, and we're testing the systems regularly."

According to her, "Yefa Nof" has a comprehensive 25-year warranty on the installed systems, including daily performance monitoring and radiation tests every six months.

Charging stations for electric vehicles – expanding deployment

Lanternry also addressed the issue of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the city: "We are in the process of establishing charging stations all over Haifa. Everything is done after prior planning, mapping needs, and allocating locations according to resident requirements."

She noted that a dedicated inquiry box was opened, and Milgam won the operating tender. She also noted that adjustments were made to public buildings in accordance with energy and maintenance needs.

Energy planning for the coming years

In conclusion, the speakers agreed that the challenges on the ground exist – but the municipal organization towards a green and energy-efficient future is in good hands. The difficulties in coordination, financing and outreach can be solved through continued collaboration, strengthening ties with the public and expanding accessibility.

As Avihu Hahn concluded: "It is no longer possible to avoid this question - not installing solar roofs no longer makes sense. The time has come to make Haifa a leader in the field of renewable urban energy."