Yosef I. Abramowitz

Yosef I. Abramowitz is a globally recognized solar energy entrepreneur, activist, and impact investor. He is considered the pioneer of the solar industry in Israel, Africa, and the broader Middle East. Yossi is the co-founder of Arava Power Company, Israel’s first solar developer, which built the country’s first commercial solar field at Kibbutz Ketura. He currently serves as President of Gigawatt Global, a renewable energy platform active in sub-Saharan Africa that develops utility-scale solar projects with integrated community benefits. His leadership has helped drive nearly $1 billion in solar energy projects across three continents.

His innovative work integrates climate solutions with social impact, including co-designing the Abundance Initiative, a blended-finance model that co-locates solar power generation with agricultural development and rural electrification in Uganda. Yossi is the co founder of Gigawatt Impact, a US 501c3, that is advancing Israeli agro-voltaic know-how with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the US, and he also serves as senior development advisor to Fieldstone Power to implement rooftop solar for low income neighborhoods in New York. 

He serves as Co-Chair of Shamsuna, a Bedouin-Jewish climate justice initiative that develops solar fields in marginalized communities and promotes energy equity and economic empowerment. And is a leader of President Herzog’s Climate Forum. 

His contributions have earned international recognition: Abramowitz has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by leaders of 12 African nations and the State of Israel, named one of the world’s top six “Green Pioneers” by CNN, and cited by PV Tech as one of the most inspiring solar CEOs globally. In Israel, he has won the “Triple Crown of Impact” — receiving the country’s top prizes for energy, environment and international development. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Rabbi Susan Silverman, and their five children. @Kaptainsunshine