Italy reaches a significant renewable energy milestone as it successfully achieves 25 GW capacity, marking a significant leap forward in the country’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
New statistics published by Italia Solare, the solar energy association of Italy, reveal that the country has achieved a cumulative installed PV capacity of 25,048 MW by the end of December, spread over 1,221,045 installations. The majority of this capacity is represented by PV systems ranging in size from 200 kW to 1 MW, comprising 8,270 MW or 33% of the total, while installations with outputs ranging from 20 kW to 200 kW account for 5,057 MW or 20% of the total. This achievement is a significant step towards Italy’s goal of transitioning to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
According to Italia Solare’s recent report, solar arrays with capacities below 12 kW contribute 4,949 MW, equivalent to 20% of the total capacity, whereas systems with capacities ranging from 1 MW to 10 MW account for 3,942 MW, representing a 16% share. PV plants above 10 MW make up 1,479 MW, accounting for 6% of the total installed PV capacity in Italy. The report also shows that PV systems with capacities ranging from 12 kW to 20 kW have reached 1,351 MW, constituting approximately 5% of the total capacity by the end of December. This data reflects Italy’s progress in achieving a diversified portfolio of solar energy sources, from small-scale installations to large-scale plants, in its journey towards a greener energy future.
Lombardia, Apulia, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto are the regions that have made the most significant contribution to the total new capacity additions, with 3,149 MW, 3,063 MW, 2,512 MW, and 2,484 MW, respectively. This data highlights the significant progress made by these regions in promoting the use of solar energy and their commitment to achieving Italy’s renewable energy targets.
The residential segment, consisting of PV systems below 12 kW, was reported to be the primary market driver in the previous year, contributing approximately 1,103 MW of new installed capacity. The second-largest contributor was large-scale plants above 10 MW, accounting for 289 MW of the total new degree. Paolo Rocco Viscontini, the President of Italia Solare, stated at the Italia Solare Forum held in Rome that a doubling of the current capacity is highly probable in 2023, followed by another doubling in 2024, which would result in a total installed capacity of 2 GW, 4 GW, and 8 GW, respectively. This forecast demonstrates the accelerating growth of solar energy adoption in Italy and reinforces the country’s position as a leader in renewable energy development.
To promote the development of solar energy, the Italian government is providing support for large-scale solar projects via an auction system. For rooftop solar, the government is implementing net metering and offering various fiscal incentives to encourage adoption.
