Sun To Provide A Fifth of Ben-Gurion University’s Energy

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev will soon produce a fifth of its energy from the sun.

Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of three buildings at its main campus, as part of the first stage of the initiative. 

The project is estimated to cost NIS 2 million (over $580,000), and will reduce its use of more polluting fuels. The university expects a return on its investment within a few years through lower energy expenditure.

This announcement comes after a series of environmental wins for the university. Last month, it installed a small wind turbine, called the Tulip, to charge laptops and phones from wind energy. Dr Daniel Farb, CEO of Flower Turbines, donated the vertical axis wind turbine, which was developed by the company. 

And last April, the university said it would no longer invest in companies that produce oil and coal, and move those investments into alternative energies.

Ben-Gurion University has the largest concentration of environmental scientists in Israel, and students at its Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research have been studying environmental issues for 50 years.