Super-Sol is going solar

Solar is going mainstream: both the IDB group and the Dor Alon group are planning to harness the sun to power at least some of their companies.

The IDB group, which is owned by tycoon Nochi Dankner, and the Dor Alon group, which is controlled by Dudi Wiessman, have published tenders for small solar energy systems to be built on land owned by their companies, TheMarker has learned. Among the chains to go solar is Super-Sol supermarkets, which belongs to IDB.

Both conglomerates are expected to launch their pilot projects uwhen the state formalizes incentives that will be offered to mid-sized facilities.

The IDB and Dor-Alon tenders are for engineering procurement and construction, as well as operation and management of the solar systems for a period of 25 years. The electricity generated will be used by the structures where the systems are installed, while excess electricity will be sold to the grid.

The rooftops and industrial-zoned land available to the corporations will allow for installation of systems which will produce a few mW (milliwatts), according to estimates, for a total investment of hundreds of millions of shekels.

The companies' strategic decision to embark on a foray into solar electricity production for their own use has created considerable momentum within the entire industry. Since its inception in the summer of 2008, the solar industry has generated some NIS 350 million.

IDB's involvement in solar energy projects is conducted through Clal Energy (of the Clal Industries group), which has recently contacted a number of leading installation companies in secret. In the meantime, the company is keeping mum about the size or location of the projects.

These are believed to be small photo-voltaic facilities of up to 50 kW located on the rooftops of office buildings used by the group, as well as a number of Super-Sol supermarket outlets.

The enterprise has a fair stock of unutilized potential for generating solar energy at their disposal, including 230 Super-Sol locations with sizable rooftops, as well as land assets at industries like Nesher and Makhteshim - fertile ground for placing mid-sized solar energy production facilities.

The Dor Alon Group has issued its first tender for installation of a solar energy facility on the rooftops of its subsidiaries, estimated at NIS 3 to 4 million.

The pilot project will include 50 kW facilities on the rooftop of it's Mega sueprmarket headquarters in Rosh Ha'ayin, and the rooftop of the Mega outlet in Arad.

In addition, the tender also includes installation of solar energy facilities at Dor Alon's gas stations in Dvir and Eilot in the south.

Dor Alon is joining its competitors in the gas station industry, Paz and Granit Hacarmel (Sonol), which have already officially announced their foray into the area of solar electricity production at their own stations.