Reducing Water Consumption

The Company uses water for washing its facilities to increase efficiency and optimize electricity production. It is estimated that a single wash requires about 3.5 liters (~1 gallon) of water per kilowatt (kW) of energy production. The Company is working to find alternative solutions to reduce water use while preventing dust accumulation on its facilities, which decreases their energy production.

The increase in water consumption in 2023 is due to the expansion of the Company’s sites that require maintenance. As a company experiencing constant growth, performing numerous installations each year and aiming to ensure optimal efficiency of PV facilities, washing them is necessary, leading to increased water consumption. It is important to note that in 2023 alone, Doral installed solar facilities totaling 363 MW (DC).

The company uses sprinklers to reduce employee safety incidents, providing a response to places that require multiple washings alongside places where there are additional considerations such as, lack of access or fear of contamination of chicken coops and more. This is the main reason for the increase in water intensity (co2e/$revenues) from 0.0002 in 2022 to 0.001 in 2023. However, the company has limited the use of sprinklers and is constantly exploring alternative technologies that reduce the use of water. In addition, in solar systems located on reservoirs, the washing systems make use of the reservoir water and treat it before it is returned to the reservoir.

The Group’s facilities have systems for monitoring water and energy resources, such as central control systems for air conditioning and automatic lighting systems. We are working to integrate mechanisms for detecting leaks and spills to save water.

It is important to emphasize that although Israel is considered a water-stressed area, over 80% of the country’s water consumption is based on desalination facilities. Nonetheless, we are tirelessly working to find solutions to reduce water use as part of our commitment to the environment.