Aora Powers Up "LEGO-like" Units For Solar Energy Production in the Arava Desert

Aora Solar Energy Company, formerly known as EDIG Solar, is ready to begin producing clean tech energy at their power station located at Kibbutz Samar in the Arava Valley.

The station, which uses a combination of solar generated electricity thermal power and alternative fuels such as bio-diesel, bio-gas, and natural gas, is expected to produce around 100 kilowatts of power as well as 170 kilowatts of heat capacity. The idea of placing this initial plant in the Arava region is due to the availability of sunlight and space to install the photo-electric collection plates needed to collect the solar energy needed to operate the thermal gas turbines.

The company was recently successful in raising $5 million in needed operating capital by offering a round of Series A bonds to various investors. The funding was raised with the assistance of EZKlein Partners, EDIG Construction and L&Q Solar, who are active in investing in international solar energy projects.

By using a “hybrid approach” which means using other fuels sources during the night or on cloudy days, the company can assure continuous electrical power generation twenty four hours a day.

Aora recently exhibited their product at the Eilat International Renewal Energy Conference and Exhibition held in Eilat, Israel on February 17-19.

Established in 1998, the company plans to produce portable “LEGO-type” units which can be used to provide power for small communities and commercial operations. The power plant utilities a series of base modules comprised of advanced sun-tracking mirrors (heliostats) that concentrate the solar radiation into a Power Conversion Unit (PCU), that generates electricity and usable thermal energy using a micro gas-turbine.

By using a hybrid fuel source approach, the units can function in locations that do not have a continuous source of solar energy such as in many European countries such as Germany.

This factor may have been instrumental in attracting investors for the company, since Deutsch Bank executives were attending the Eilat conference with the purpose of finding investments and partnerships in Israeli renewable energy companies and projects.

The company was also mentioned in a recent article in the March 10th edition of the Jerusalem Post which noted ARORA’s solar power plant as having four advantages: it’s modular, hybrid, it can operate on a number of alternative fuels, and “it offers all these options in one base package.”

Cost of the Aora energy base unit is around $500,000, which is supposed to be less than larger PV (Photo voltaic) or solar powered models.

While the company will be looking for markets far beyond Israel’s own borders, it is hoped that Israeli investment and governmental sources will also become interested in these units to provide more cleaner and economical energy to Israeli users.

More on solar power:
Eilat Renewable Energy Conference Showcases Israeli Solar Companies
Video of Aora Solar Energy on Reuters
BrightSource Launches Solar Energy Plant in the Negev
ZenithSolar Dedicates First Solar Energy Farm In Israel
Quick Guide To Solar Energy Companies In Israel

::Aora Solar Energy