1.  Sense and Sustainability The Importance of Solar Energy & Innovation to Israel

2. Why Solar?  Environmental Benefits  National Security  Geography  Physical Geography: High levels of solar irradiance; longer days  Political Geography: hostile neighbors, lack of oil

3. History of Solar Energy in Israel  National Laboratory dedicated to solar energy  Energy Crises led to increased adoption of solar water heaters  Other institutions dedicated to other types of solar energy  Nanotechnology & organic solar  Concentrated Solar Power on industrial scale

4. Current Policies & New Initiatives  Feed-in tariff implemented in 2008 to encourage investment in solar energy infrastructure  All new buildings required to use solar water heaters  Israeli power company, Arave Power Company, is building a solar field for Bedouin communities  Financed by OPIC  Seen as model for sustainable development in indigenous communities

5. Future of the Industry  Israel has laid the groundwork for future innovation in solar energy  Israeli Universities provide R&D services  Several companies leading the way, including Zenith Solar, Brightsource, and Israeli Cleantech Ventures