Arava Power, an Israel-based company, has announced its plans to inaugurate the first ever commercial solar power plant at Kibbutz Ketura on 5th June 2011.
Ketura Sun, Israel's first solar field, located at Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava Valley:
The solar power plant, designed to generate 4.95 MW clean power, will be linked to the state’s national power grid in summer.
The solar plant comprises 18,500 solar PV panels manufactured by Suntech and will generate around 9 million kWh of clean solar power every year. The solar plant, based around 50 km north of Eilat, will exploit the sunny location to generate power and will contribute to the country’s plan for introducing electric powered vehicles.
Siemens Project Ventures has participated along with Arava Power in setting up the solar project. The project received financial support from Bank Hapoalim. Arava Power is optimistic in meeting around 10% of the power requirements of the southern regions of the country through such alliances.