Friendly Energy has installed 70 rooftop solar systems in Israel, like this one in Beersheva.
European companies continue to find interest in photovoltaic (PV) solar projects in Israel. For example, we recently reported about the joint venture between the Spanish multinational Soltec Renewable Energies and Shikun & Binui Solaria to build a solar power plant in Timna, not far from Kibbutz Ketura, where the German multinational Siemens (a part owner of Arava Power Company) is helping to build the first PV field in Israel. Now an Italian energy company, Enerpoint, has acquired the Israeli solar EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) firm Friendly Energy.
Friendly Energy, which will now be known as Enerpoint Israel, has already installed 70 rooftop PV facilities in Israel at commercial and residential sites, and has orders for another 70 PV installations.
Enerpoint, established in 2001, has built PV facilities across Europe with a total capacity for generating 185 MW of electricity. It recorded revenues of €250 million in 2010 and has an orders backlog of €50 million.
As part of the Italian company, Enerpoint Israel will pursue EPC contracts for medium-sized and large PV projects in Israel.
In announcing the acquisition this week, Enerpoint president Paulo Rocco Viscontini said: “We have been examining the Israeli market for 18 months as a business target. We consider collaboration with Friendly Energy as an opportunity to combine forces and capabilities to become a leading player in Israel. We have the capabilities, connections, team, and will to succeed.”
:: Globes
Read more about solar power in Israel:
Solar Power Spreads To Har Gilo Settlement in the West Bank
Israel Approves New Licenses For Mid-Sized Solar Fields
Arison Group’s Solaria Teams With Soltec To Build Solar PV Field in Israel
Author: Ira Moskowitz
When his kids were small, Ira would point to litter on the ground and tell them: “That makes me angry!” He still gets angry about pollution, waste and abusive treatment of our world, but is encouraged by the growing awareness of environmental issues and has been following the latest developments in cleantech with great interest. Ira grew up in the green hills of western Massachusetts and moved to Israel in the early 1980s after completing an MA in Middle Eastern Studies. He has worked as a software developer and journalist, and translates works of Hebrew fiction and non-fiction to English. Ira is trying to age gracefully, but refuses to surrender his youthful belief in the potential for change, including a collaborative future for the peoples of the Middle East. To contact Ira, email ira (at) greenprophet (dot) com.