Solel Solar Systems Ltd. (Hebrew: סולל) was an Israeli solar thermal equipment designer and manufacturer based in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Solel made equipment for solar thermal power plants, facilities that used the sun's heat to create steam and turn an electricity generator.

Solel Solar Systems Ltd.
IndustrySolar energy
Headquarters,
Productssolar thermal equipment
ParentSiemens
Sde Boker testing site

In 2007, Solel signed a contract with Pacific Gas & Electric to supply 553 MW from its planned Mojave Solar Park, California.[1] The parabolic trough project was cancelled in 2011.[2] In a joint venture with the Spanish Valoriza Energía, Solel planned a parabolic-trough plant in Spain. After three years of construction, one of originally three 50-MW units started operation in December 2011.[3]

In October 2009, Siemens signed a $418-million contract to buy Solel Solar Systems.[4] As part of the deal, Siemens committed itself to leave the company headquarters and some of its manufacturing facilities in Israel for at least five years.[5]

Three years later, in an environment of plunging prices for photovoltaic power generation, Siemens announced plans to sell off the subsidiary,[6] without success. In 2013, Siemens gave up its solar business.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Davidson, Paul (2007-07-26). "Pacific Gas & Electric to buy solar power from desert". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  2. ^ "CSP Project Tracker" (PDF). greentechmedia. 2011-10-24.
  3. ^ NREL: Concentrating Solar Power Projects, 2012.
  4. ^ "Siemens to decisively strengthen its position in the growth market solar thermal power" (PDF) (Press release). Siemens. October 15, 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  5. ^ Bar, Avi (2008-04-02). "Siemens buys Solel Solar for $418 million". Haaretz. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  6. ^ The Big Solar Sell-Off: Siemens Puts Solel On The Block, Forbes, 10/22/2012, retrieved 02/05/2013
  7. ^ Handelsblatt: Vergebliche Käufersuche, Siemens schliesst seine Solarsparte, June 17, 2013.