/16th January 2018, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCHTM/ Italy nowadays is among leading renewable power producers in Europe. The solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has the largest stake compared to other renewable energy technologies in Italy. Reasons behind the domination of solar PV energy in Italy are favourable geographic location of the country and Italian government support system Conto Energia for solar PV projects, which started in 2005 as a strategy to meet renewable energy targets set out in the EU Directive 2001/77/EC (European Parliament and Council of European Union 2001).
In the southern part of Italy is operating of the world’s largest solar PV power plants – Montalto di Castro with 84 MW installed capacity.
In Italy mean annual solar radiation according to Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) ranges from 3.6 kW per square metre in the Po river plain area, to 4.7 kW per square metre in Central-Southern Italy, to 5.4 kW per square metre in Sicily: consequently some regions have a production potential that is very high, however, it can be said that the entire national territory is characterized by very favourable conditions for the installation of plants for the production of solar power.
The Italian electricity market was liberalized between 2002 and 2007. Activities related to electricity generation, transmission, distribution and market regulation have been unbundled and currently are owned by separate legal entities. This liberalization fueled the Italian solar sector between 2007 and 2012. A large number of ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants have been launched into operation in this period turning Italy to one of the biggest solar PV markets in the world. The focus on ground-mounted solar PV power plants has been reduced after government incentive cuts since 2012.
During 2017 approximately 409 MW of new solar PV power plants have been installed in Italy, according to data provided by Anie Rinnovabili (the Italian Renewable Energy Association). This represents an 11% growth compared to 2016, when new solar PV power plants have been 369 MW. The key driver behind market growth in 2017 are solar PV installations made under the state net metering and self-consumption support schemes called ’Scambio sul Posto’ and SEU.
More information about solar PV market in Italy you may read here: Europe Net Metering and Self-Consumption Solar PV Market Outlook 2017 ÷ 2026
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