Plundering the Sun: The Israeli Solar Energy Industry and Palestinian Forced Displacement
... In this flash report, we will first outline Israel’s booming solar energy industry, which is supported by state policies and financial incentives for corporations. We will review specific policies incentivizing investment for commercial and residential solar fields in both the Naqab and Area C. In both places, communities are deliberately marginalized and un-electrified, contributing to the coercive environment that leads to forced displacement... In stark contrast to Israel’s boosting of its own solar industry, it utilizes its planning and zoning regime to strangle Palestinian natural growth, economic development and ability to develop green systems. The threat of property demolitions constantly looms over every aspect of life in Area C of the West Bank and in unrecognized villages in the Naqab... In this report, Who Profits documents the entry of four additional international corporations – ABB Group, SMA Solar Technology, PGR Drive Technologies and JA Solar Holdings in Israel’s solar energy industry. [The report highlights] the corporate profiles for these corporations and for corporations involved in the confiscation of small-scale Palestinian solar systems on both sides of the Green Line – Fassi Ltd. and Volvo Group...